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s many as 130 households in Pulau Kayu Aro village in Sekernan district, Muarojambi regency, will be relocated to Bukit Baling village following the mounting erosion problems along the Batanghari River.

Jambi Governor Hasan Basri Agus said that Pulau Kayu Aro, located along the Batanghari River, could no longer be inhabited as it was considered as disaster prone area.

Soil erosion and destabilized hillsides along the river have become a major issue in the village. There have been four cases of erosion in the last two months. The disaster caused damage to houses and killed a four-year-old child.

“To relocate the villagers, the National Mitigation Agency will disburse Rp 25 million [US$2,600], while the Jambi provincial administration will provide another Rp 10 million. The land clearing process will be conducted by the Muarojambi administration,” said Hasan recently.

He acknowledged that there were residents who refused to be relocated as they loved their homeland too much.

“But the relocation is a must. It is for the sake of their safety. Such disaster can happen again anytime,” Hasan said, encouraging residents to accept the relocation plan.