Risk from a gas explosion and land subsidence around the Porong mudflow site in Sidoarjo regency, East Java, is not enough to persuade the authorities to act fast to prevent harm in the event another disaster occurs, a teacher says.
Students at SDN Ketapang elementary school, located near the heart of the mudflow disaster, continue attending school.
The school’s teacher, Supriyani, said that teaching at a disaster site was difficult.
When teaching, she had to think of her and hundreds of students’ safety, as well as focus on teaching. She also added that the school was immersed in mud up to an adult’s waist in January 2007.
The flood damaged textbooks, computers and many more learning tools, Supriyani said.
“The incident reminded me to ensure our 313 students remain alert,” she told The Jakarta Post.
Another incident occurred on April 21 when a classroom’s floor cracked followed by a discharge of mud bubbles during a Kartini Day celebration.
“After the students rushed outside, we heard the walls cracking,” Supriyani said.
“Although the school building did not collapse, it caused panic and concern.”
She said the school’s management had repeatedly reported the likely risks of mudflow-related disasters such as gas explosions and land subsidence, to the government.
The Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency (BPLS) is currently monitoring two new craters at the heart of the disaster site, as well as the presence of seven explosion-prone gas emission points along Porong highway.
Sidoarjo Education Office head Agoes Budi Tjahyono said that his office had filed a recommendation to the government to relocate the school.
But the plan might take a while to realize due to the absence of funds, he added.
While waiting for the funds, he said his office would try to relocate students to one of its offices located about 4 kilometers from the school’s present location.
According to the BPLS, a small subsidence had occurred in a classroom along with a 30-centimeter high mount measuring approximately 48 square meters, making the walls crack.
Currently, three of the school’s 12 classrooms were badly damaged, forcing the teachers to pack the students into other classrooms.
Apart from engulfing hundreds of homes and factories, the mudflow, which occurred on May, 2006, has also swamped 33 schools.
Residential Worthiness Research Team (TKKP) coordinator I. Nyoman Sutantra said the current condition in Porong was dangerous and posed a threat to the lives of residents.
The TKKP is conducting a survey on the need to evacuate hundreds of residents in Ketapang and Mindi villages, who are currently still living around the mudflow area.
“The survey will be completed in mid May. The results will be presented to the East Java governor,” he said.
In July last year, the team also recommended to the authority to evacuate residents in Siring Barat and Jatirejo villages.
Residents in Siring Barat and Jatirejo villages were reportedly not covered by the compensation program carried out by Lapindo Brantas Inc. and are still living in the area because the government has not yet provided them with a relocation area.
The TKKP has also recommended the government close the Porong highway to prevent private vehicles from danger due to the risks associated with highly flammable gas emissions.
About 190,000 vehicles travel along the highway daily.
East Java Governor Soekarwo told state railway company PT KA to travel at low speeds when passing Porong to prevent sudden braking, which could produce sparks on the road, a fire hazard.
Road vehicle passengers are also prohibited from smoking.
Train passengers are also prohibited from smoking as this could ignite fires following new gas emission areas near the railway line.
