Lapindo mudflow dam project halted

Repairs and renovations to the Lapindo mudflow dam in East Java on Monday stopped because roadblocks obstructed access to the project sites.

Hundreds of people claiming to be victims of the mudflow blocked the road, demanding PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya to expedite the payment of the remaining 80 percent of compensation money.

As a result, the dam is now at a critical condition and may soon fail to withhold pressure from the ever expanding mudflow, said Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency spokesperson Ahmad Zulkarnain.

"The materials needed for repair and dam erection could not reach the dam. The dam is at a very critical level," Ahmad said, as quoted by Kompas.com.

Ahmad said the mudflow was only 30 centimeters away from the top of the dam. (and)