Landslides a threat in Lombok

LOMBOK, West Nusa Tenggara: Hundreds of houses in Pemenang district, West Lombok regency, are in danger of being destroyed by landslides, an official said on Tuesday.

The villages of Manggala and Kerujuk have been declared the areas most in danger.

Pemenang district head M. Sayuti said residents were afraid of a repeat of the landslides that occurred during last year's rainy season, which killed dozens of head of cattle and damaged scores of houses.

"Manggala is the most vulnerable to landslides. There are some 200 houses located close to sloping hills," Sayuti said, adding that residents had become increasingly worried about landslides following the recent incessant rains in the area.

The district government has constructed a canal to reduce the threat of landslides, he said.

A local community leader, Amaq Han, said it would be better if the government provided shelters to prepare for the worst. -- JP