BNPB monitors ground movement threat in Nampar Macing, West Manggarai

Labuan Bajo — Disaster officials are continuing to monitor land movement affecting Nampar Macing village in Sano Nggoang subdistrict, West Manggarai, after a series of incidents that intensified in March 2022, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

BNPB reported that ground movement in Nampar Macing has threatened around 200 residents from 62 households, with local authorities noting that villagers have observed similar phenomena since 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Based on BNPB’s account, the most serious episode occurred on Friday, 18 March 2022, when cracks appeared from house yards through interior floors, damaging walls and structural supports.

BNPB said the West Manggarai Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) conducted a rapid assessment at the site and found loose soil that shook when stepped on, raising concerns in the community that the movement could develop into a larger disaster.

Impacts on housing and relocation efforts

According to BNPB, the March 2022 ground movement caused significant damage to multiple homes, including collapsed sections, split earth, and cracked floors and walls.

Local authorities told BNPB they have urged residents to anticipate further impacts and have begun data collection on affected households and damage, as well as outreach to discuss relocation to safer areas.

The district government, through BPBD West Manggarai, has been advising families to consider moving away from the most exposed locations, although BNPB did not specify how many houses would be relocated or whether a permanent resettlement site has been designated.

Recorded disaster events in Nampar Macing

West Manggarai’s 2022 Local Government Performance Report lists a landslide (“tanah longsor”) incident in Nampar Macing on 18 March 2022 in Sano Nggoang subdistrict, confirming an official disaster record for that date.

The same report documents additional landslides elsewhere in Sano Nggoang later in 2022, indicating broader slope-instability issues in the subdistrict.

Statistical publications from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) identify Nampar Macing as one of the villages in Sano Nggoang, but do not provide specific disaster figures for the March 2022 land movement.

Risk mapping and preparedness

Badan Geologi, under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, has issued monthly forecast maps for areas with potential ground movement and landslides in Nusa Tenggara Timur, including March 2022, to guide preparedness measures for local governments and communities.

BNPB stated that BPBD West Manggarai has socialised the risks of ground movement to residents and encouraged them to be ready for relocation to locations considered safer from future incidents.

At the time of the available reports, BNPB did not mention formal evacuation orders, road closures or specific restrictions for tourism sites in Sano Nggoang, but recommended continued vigilance and coordination between residents and local authorities.

For travellers and investors planning activities in or near Sano Nggoang, officials advise monitoring current information from BPBD and other competent authorities, especially during periods of heavy rainfall when the risk of landslides and ground movement increases.

Sources

• Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB)
• Government of Manggarai Barat Regency – LPPD 2022
• Badan Pusat Statistik – Kecamatan Sano Nggoang Dalam Angka 2022
• Badan Geologi – Peta Prakiraan Wilayah Potensi Terjadi Gerakan Tanah di Provinsi NTT Bulan Maret 2022