A serious situation has been unfolding at Uluwatu Temple in Bali, where cracks have appeared on the cliffs beneath the Main Mandala Temple. This damage threatens the stability of the cliffs, particularly as ocean waves continue to erode the base. In response to this urgent matter, the local government has taken swift action to prevent any further risk.
Currently, the project to address the cracked cliffs at Uluwatu, located in South Kuta, Badung Regency, is about 70% complete. Anak Agung Rama Putra, the Head of the Water Resources Division at the Badung Public Works and Housing Service, shared an update during a public consultation session on Tuesday.
“As of week 22 of the project, we’ve reached 70% progress. We expect it to be completed by mid-January 2025,” he explained, as quoted by Antara News.
The project involves several key measures, including the creation of access roads to the beach, the construction of a shoreline access road, reinforcing and repairing the cliffs, and installing coastal protection structures like revetments. These steps are crucial following the erosion at the base of the cliffs below the temple, which has raised concerns about the cliffs’ overall stability.
In addition, the project is being carried out in parallel to speed up its completion. “We’ve been accelerating the work to meet the original target of finishing by the end of 2024,” said Rama Putra.
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At this stage, the inspection road is finished, and the revetment work is progressing. In specific areas, tetrapods are being placed to further protect the cliffs. Meanwhile, the gap above the cliffs that was discovered is also being addressed.
Once completed, the newly constructed roads will serve only for cliff repair and maintenance purposes, and for religious activities. They will not be used as tourist paths.
“We’ve identified the cracks along the cliffs and have also marked other areas, particularly on the Beji Temple side. For now, our main focus is on the revetment and road works,” Rama Putra added.
During the public consultation, the team, along with the project implementers, conducted outreach, engaging in discussions with local residents and gathering input from those living and working around the Uluwatu Temple area about the cracks. This consultation ensures that the community is informed and involved in the process, as the project continues to address the growing concerns surrounding the temple’s safety.
