Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A mysterious sinkhole, approximately 8 meters (26 feet) deep emerged on a major road in Sendang District, Tulungagung, East Java. The mysterious hole appeared suddenly in the middle of the road.
Tulungagung’s Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) has dispatched a team to assess the damage. “Our team, along with local officials, has inspected the site. The sinkhole is not only deep but also extends further underground with a bend. We also found a water flow beneath it,” said PUPR Head Dwi Hari Subagyo on Friday (February 28, 2025), as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Factors
Preliminary investigations suggest multiple factors may have contributed to the collapse, including seepage from nearby drainage systems and vibrations from heavy vehicles passing through the area. The sinkhole may also be linked to underground water flow.
Initially, authorities suspected the mysterious sinkhole was caused by a leaking pipe from the local water utility, PDAM. However, further tests ruled out this possibility.
“When the PDAM water supply was shut off, water continued to flow, which means it’s not coming from PDAM. Instead, when we blocked the drainage system, the water stopped flowing,” Dwi Hari explained.
Officials now suspect that water from the drainage system has been seeping underground, gradually eroding the soil and weakening its structure. The situation has been worsened by drainage channels being obstructed by buildings.
Ongoing Investigation
Meanwhile, Sendang Police Chief Iptu Daroji confirmed that a strong water current was detected inside the sinkhole, but the source remains under investigation. “There is a significant water flow inside, but we are still determining whether it originates from an underground river, a drainage channel, or another factor,” he said.
Read Also:
Immigration Bali Deports Foreign Tourists for Climbing Mount Agung Without Local Guides
Temporary Measures
As a temporary measure, PUPR officials plan to seal the mysterious sinkhole and conduct ongoing monitoring to assess any further risks. The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and police have placed caution tape and warning signs around the site to prevent accidents.
Authorities have also implemented a traffic control system and are urging motorists to exercise caution while passing through the area.
(Raidi/Agung)
