Curb of "mudflow" in Mataloko urged

KUPANG, E. Nusa Tenggara: East Nusa Tenggara provincial councilor urged Friday institutions in charge of the Mataloki geothermal power plant in Ngada regency to curb the spread of hot "mudflow" from their project so as not to disturb local residents.

Jhon Dekrasando, head of the legislative team visiting the project site, said that the hot "mudflow" from the project constituted a normal natural phenomenon which is not dangerous to the local people.

"What is needed is a way for the related institutions to explain this to the residents so as not to spark restlessness among them," Dekrasando said.

Quoting an explanation from a geological team from Bandung, West Java, he said that the outburst did not consist of mud, but of hot steam mixed with rain.

"But because the outburst has been ongoing and has caused a crater to form, the local people have been frightened," he said.

The geological team has taken the initiative of curbing the spread of the outburst by covering the hole with stones.

"After being covered with the stones, the volume of the outburst has declined, so that the destruction of nearby plantation and agricultural areas can be controlled," he said. - JP