Freak Tidal Waves in Gunungkidul Causes Rp2 Billion in Damages

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - The Head of Enterprise Development for Gunungkidul Regency's Agency for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Yuniarti Eko Ningsih, said that the unusually high tidal waves across Gunungkidul's southern coastline that begun last week has caused at least Rp2 billion worth of damage. The estimation is based on the number of boats and fishing equipment that were damaged by the waves. "This estimation has yet to include the gazebos and stalls along the coast that were swept by the waves," she said.

"Our agency is still capable of dealing with the aftermath of the phenomenon - unlike what happened in 2009," said Ningsih on Sunday, May 29, 2016. "That said, we can't disburse any aid or compensation now - we could only do it once our budget amendment meeting for the months of August and September is scheduled by the central government."

The number of boats that were damaged by the waves have exceeded 50 - and the vast majority are lightweight fishing vessels with a single outboard engine.

"The majority of these boats are still being repaired," said the Secretary for Baron Beach Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Agency, Surisdiyanto. "That said, fishing activities have commenced again, as the waves receded."

The unusually high tidal waves that began at the start of last week had partially paralysed the local, coastal economy for about a week. Scores of fishing boats, as well as food stalls and huts owned by local residents across Gunungkidul's five main beaches - Baron, Sepanjang, Drini, Somadeng, and Sadranan - were damaged by the freak waves, which reached 3,5 metres in height.

The Coordinator for Yogyakarta's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Quick Response Team, Pristiawan Buntoro said that high tidal waves are often reported along Gunungkidul's southern coast - but last week's tidal waves were unusual because of damages that it caused along the beach that lies beyond the surf break. "Usually, tidal waves would not damage boats that are moored around four meters from the tide's normal median," he said.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO