Landslides prompt relocation demand

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.