Landslides prompt relocation demand

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Traumatized by recurring landslides, some 50 families in Kulonprogo regency demanded on Wednesday that local authorities relocate them to a safer area.

The families live in hilly Borosuli hamlet, Kulonprogo, Banjarsari, an area prone to landslides.

"We can't sleep at night because the rainy season has begun. We are scared that we'll be killed in a landslide, just like our neighbors in the next hamlets two years ago," said Sastro Wijoyo, 57, a resident.

Two years ago, seven people were killed in a landslide in the neighboring Ngaren and Sendangsono hamlets. The landslide virtually damaged all houses in the two hamlets.

The surviving 182 residents of Ngaren and Sendangsono were relocated to safer land in the subdistrict.

Sastro said Ngaren, Sendangsono and Borosuli hamlets were prone to landslides, as they were located on the slopes of Menoreh Hill, Kulonprogo.

"We are scared. Moreover, December will be here soon, when heavy rains usually fall," he said.

Banjarsari subdistrict head Saparwoko confirmed that the residents had urged their relocation. Although he welcomed the demand, the problem was that Banjarsari did not have enough land to accommodate the residents.

"The administration has only 3.5 hectares of unused land. Another problem is that we must first obtain permission from the provincial administration before we can give the land to the residents," said Saparwoko.

Separately, a secretary at the Yogyakarta provincial administration said the residents' demand was being studied.

A series of fatal landslides has already occurred in some areas in the nearby regencies of Cilacap and Banyumas, although the rainy season just started last month.