30-Meter Crack on Gumitir Route: Hidden Threat at the Edge of the Jember-Banyuwangi Ravine
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- Jalur nasional Gumitir penghubung Jember-Banyuwangi mengalami keretakan sepanjang 30 meter, hanya 2-3 meter dari bibir jurang.
- BPBD Jember bersama BBPJN menyepakati penambalan dalam sepekan, sementara longsor bahu jalan ditahan karung pasir dan akan dilapisi terpal.
- Penutupan arus saat perbaikan belum diputuskan; pengguna jalan diminta waspada karena risiko longsor meningkat seiring curah hujan.
The Gumitir route, a national artery connecting Jember and Banyuwangi in East Java, is in a vulnerable condition after a crack stretching about 30 meters was found. The crack is only two to three meters from the edge of the ravine, raising concerns about the safety of road users who pass through every day.
The head of BPBD Jember, Edy Budi Susilo, said his office received an initial report from volunteers. The team deployed then confirmed a minor crack at kilometer 230 as well as a landslide on the road shoulder that was temporarily held back using sandbags. "We received information from volunteers, then carried out checks and indeed there was a minor crack at KM 230 and a landslide on the road shoulder that had been given sandbag retainers," said Edy, Friday (9/10).
Although categorized as minor, the crack cannot be ignored. At the worst point, the gap width reaches 1-2 centimeters and is only about 80 centimeters from the road body. This condition is worsened by its position very close to the ravine, so the potential for land subsidence becomes a real threat, especially during the rainy season that drenches the Gumitir mountainous area.
Because Gumitir has national road status, BPBD Jember cannot act alone. They held a coordination meeting with the Balai Besar Pelaksanaan Jalan Nasional (BBPJN) to formulate technical steps. As a result, the crack will be patched within the next week. The sandbags holding back the road shoulder landslide will also be improved with the addition of tarpaulin so they are not eroded more severely when rain falls.
"The 30-meter crack will be patched within this week for the safety of road users, and the sandbags will be improved with tarpaulin," said Edy.
In addition to patching, officers plan to trim the banyan trees around the location. This step is taken to reduce the soil burden, but the trees will not be cut down because their roots are considered to still help hold back soil movement. BPBD Jember is also preparing a reforestation program at several points to reduce long-term landslide risk.
Until now, there has been no decision regarding the closure of traffic flow during the repairs. Edy stated that his office is still coordinating with related agencies. If a closure is carried out, the impact could be significant because Gumitir is a vital route connecting two regencies in eastern East Java, often used for logistics distribution and resident mobility.
BPBD Jember urges the public to increase vigilance, obey signs, and be careful when passing through the area. This appeal is especially aimed at drivers who pass at night or during rain, when visibility decreases and the risk of landslides increases.
Going forward, repairing the crack and strengthening the landslide retainer are only temporary solutions. The question is, will national road infrastructure in disaster-prone areas like Gumitir receive more serious attention, or will patchwork repairs continue to repeat every time the rainy season comes?
