Families agree to relocation

MAGELANG, Central Java: Fifty-two families living in Kajoren district in the Central Java town of Magelang, which is susceptible to landslides, have agreed to abandon their homes and be relocated to safer ground, an official said on Monday.

Heavy rains since last week has led to a number of landslides, and several families have begun to dissemble their houses in anticipation of further landslides. In various parts in the district, the land has sunk by 20 to 25 centimeters.

"The plan now is to move them to a location further down the hill, somewhere along the border of Bangsari village and close to the street," said Magelang regent Hasyim Afandi, and added that the cost was being negotiated with the village chief.

He said every family would receive a plot measuring 100 square meters, and that the administration would also build a mosque, a parking area and a recreation area at the new location. -- Antara