Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – Heavy rain in the Sukarame District of Palembang triggered a landslide at the Sukawinatan Landfill (TPA Sukawinatan) on Monday, January 29th, 2024. The 30-hectare waste mountain was eroded by the heavy rain, filling the area and causing a pungent stench to permeate the surroundings of the landfill.
Local residents stated that the foul odor from the Sukawinatan Landfill has become a daily routine. They even find it difficult to breathe fresh air in the morning due to the presence of the odor. Herman, a local resident, expressed his concern about the health of children, although they often use the waste piles as a playground.
Zaidan Jauhari, the Head of ULP at TPA Sukawinatan, through Security Coordinator Yanto, stated that the landslide of waste piles was caused by the heavy rain that had been hitting the area for the past two weeks. This has disrupted the weighing activities of waste collection trucks, leading to long queues of trucks that can only operate from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
“The Sukawinatan Landfill has three levels. Although we have five excavators, only three can be used. Furthermore, the compactors are also damaged, which is our main constraint,” Yanto explained.
This situation raises concerns about environmental and public health impacts. Concrete steps are needed to address this issue and prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future. All parties are expected to work together to address environmental issues arising from human activities.