Erosion threatens fishermen's homes

PADANG, West Sumatra: At least 800 families living along the Padang coast fear losing their houses due to abrasion in the past five years.

High tides and storms hit the areas in the past two weeks, leading the local administration to attempt to evacuate them to higher ground in Koto Tengah, about 25 kilometers away.

"But it's difficult because residents, most of whom are fishermen, refuse to move due to difficulties in reaching the shore to set sail and fish," Padang's regional secretary Masril Payan said on Thursday.

Only 15 families have been willing to move, Masril said.

In the past, residents were evacuated to a dormitory about two kilometers away from the shore during each high tide and storms.

West Sumatra's office of the Ministry of Public Works reportedly has allocated Rp 40 billion to construct a sea wall.

"When that construction begins, the residents will eventually have to move," Masril added. However, he was unable to give a date for the project's start. (28/edt)