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Hundred farmers in 7 subak (Balinese traditional farming group) at Sawan and Kubutambahan district whose irrigation canal was blocked by landslide has so far in worries. Landslide material blocking the water tunnel at Banjar Sema, Baungkulan village could not be cleared out quickly, leaving their rice field without sufficient water supply.

Public Work Office of Buleleng has started to clear the tunnel from landslide material. However conducted in manual tools without heavy equipment the process takes a long time. Farmers worried that the clearing process could not be completed and their rice field will be damaged. If the rice field does not get sufficient water supply for 10 days, the 20 days old rice plants will die. “At the moment the only thing we can wish is the rain, so our rice field can survive,” said subak leader at Kubutambahan, Made Budiada.

Head of Public Work Office of Buleleng, Nyoman Gede Suryawan, said that his office has employed tens of workers to clear out the irrigation tunnel at Banjar Sema of Bungkulan village. However, conducted with manual equipment requires quite a long time. He refused the opinion that damaged equipments was the reason behind absence of heavy equipment. “It is very difficult for heavy equipment to reach the location,” he explained.

As widely reported by local press, 530 hectares of rice field in 7 subak of Sawan and Kubutambahan districts in Buleleng has been dried our during the last couple of days. The tunnel channeling irrigation supply located at Banjar Sema of Bungkulan village has been blocked by land slide material, terminating irrigation supply to the area.