Mudslide and precautions

Mudslide and precautions

Pondering the merciless and disastrous mudslide that hit a hot
spring resort at Pacet, Mojokerto, East Java, during the Idul
Fitri holiday, causing death to innocent schoolchildren enjoying
their vacation (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13), I
couldn't help wondering why the accidents couldn't have been
averted. This could have been by virtue of an earlier warning,
regarding the required precautionary measures to be taken, from
the responsible authorities. This is especially true if it later
turns out that the mudslide was the aftermath of continuous
rainfall, giving rise to inevitable flooding originating from the
destroyed forests around the resort.

What is rather bewildering is the fact that the tragedy took
place at a hot spring, which should be an attractive tourist
attraction. Not only should the regional forestry administration
be held responsible but also the local tourism authorities should
be called upon to account for the absence of supervision and
control over the tourist resort.

Why must such tragedies occur in this country, as a result of,
presumably, a lack of due diligence exercised by the competent
local authorities? What will happen in the future, should local
autonomy be fully implemented? Will the interests of the general
public be better served under such circumstances?

S. SUHAEDI, Jakarta