SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA — That afternoon, Friday (30/9/2022), the view of the Cigadung River that divides Dusun Bantargadung Girang and Kubang in Bantargadung Village is very different from before. Many people pass between villages by going down into the river, albeit through steep trails and slippery rocks. School children, farmers, traders, and those who want to go to the villages and towns on the other side.
They had to go down the river since the main bridge had collapsed, which was hit by the overflowing river after heavy rains pouring over the Sukabumi area the previous week. The bridge is the only bypass access mainly used for the community’s needs, such as going to school, making a living, studying, the hospital, and taking care of the civil administration.
“What else can we do? We have to pass down (the river). There is another road, but it is so far away if you pass there. It can reach 5 (five) kilometers on foot, the road is broken, and it goes up and down. If you use a motorcycle taxi, you must pay 25 thousand one way, a round trip of 50 thousand. Not to mention other fees,” said Pak Mumuh (50), one of the residents of Dusun Kubang, after crossing the Cigadung River.
Having a livelihood as a Cue Fish Seller, Mr. Mumuh must sell his wares to the Sukabumi market area every 2 (two) days. Depart at 4 (four) am and return home at 9 (nine) pm. He did it over the bridge, leaving dark and returning home in the dark. However, since the bridge was damaged, he had to keep going down the river when it was dark.
“Before (the bridge) was damaged, it rained heavily, and the water was overflowing. The children’s schools were forced to be closed, and those who wanted to go to selling also could not cross because the water was heavy. Until finally, the flood hit the bridge,” explained Mr. Mumuh.
He also said that another Cue Fish Seller passed the bridge one day using a motorcycle. The merchant’s motorbike got stuck between the bridge’s hollow boards just walking a few meters. While the merchandise, the fish, which was ready to be sold, fell scattered into the river.
Residents have made several improvements, ranging from adding piles of sandbags to resist landslides to replacing wooden boards with bamboo. However, since it was built in 2017, the damage has been the most severe this time.
Erwandi Saputra, one of the DMC (Disaster Management Center) Recovery Team of Dompet Dhuafa, said for the people of Bantargadung Village, bridges are not just roads but also liaisons for science, connecting livelihood and connecting the lives of all residents.
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“They really hope that the mainstay access to cross the Cigadung River can soon stand even stronger. Hopefully, with our common good, we will also be able to reconnect the hopes of the Dusun Girang and Kubang residents,” said Erwandi after the bridge assessment in Bantargadung Village. (Dompet Dhuafa / Dewi / Dhika Prabowo)