Residents cannot live in landslide-hit areas: Official

Residents cannot live in landslide-hit areas: Official

BANDUNG (JP): The landslide hit areas in the regency of
Purworejo, Central Java are geologically uninhabitable, thus
relocation of the residents are imperative, an official at the
directorate of environmental geology said.

Sutikno, head of the natural disaster office at the
directorate said a team from his office comprising five experts
were sent to the areas to conduct a study soon after the deadly
landslides hit on Nov. 5.

"They found that it was very dangerous to live in those areas.
The land is rocky and has many steep slopes with deep fractures
despite the fact that the areas are full of vegetation," Sutikno
told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.

He said the team explored, among others, the villages in
Plipir, Kemanukan, Krendetan and Karangsari. Most of these
villages are located on the slopes.

"The expedition covered an area of between 4,000 meters and
5,000 meters by 106 meters. The team found fracture plate zones,
which were the result of the motion of the Earth's rigid crust
millions of years ago. The fracture zones, which then formed very
rigid rocks within the thick soil, are prone to landslides,
especially during and after incessant rains."

Sutikno also pointed out that there were 11 other areas in the
regency vulnerable to landslides. He warned that landslides could
occur in areas east of Bagelen and in the western and northern
parts of the Kulonprogo regency at anytime.

It was Purworejo Regent Marsaid who suggested relocating
residents affected by the landslides.

Central Java Governor Mardiyanto has also expressed his
approval, saying that the areas were no longer suitable for
inhabitation. However, the statements by both the regent and the
governor can only be supported technically after geological data
being collected by Sutikno's office were completed.

Sutikno said the first survey was conducted on Nov. 6.

He suggested that the residents be resettled in safe areas
close to the disaster sites "in order for them to continue their
lives."

" Open spaces along rivers or river basins are not
recommended. And those living in the village of Karangsari could
move some 800 meters west. "

The landslides, which claimed at least 50 lives, devastated
several villages in three districts. (25/sur)