Govt To Build Water Well For Mount Merapi Victims

Sleman, Yogyakarta, Dec 26 (ANTARA) - The Department of Water Resources, Energy and Mineral (SDAEM) in Sleman district, Yogyakarta, has planned to construct water wells in several residential areas in order to fulfil the water requirements of Mount Merapi victims and their livestock. "The water needs of Mount Merapi victims in Cangkringan sub-district are currently being met from a water source called `umbul wadon` at the head of Kuning river by using gravity," said the Head of SDAEM in Sleman, Widi Sutikno, here on Wednesday. He expressed worries that if the water source dried up or faced plumbing problems, the residents would be severely inconvenienced. "In anticipation of the problem, we have submitted a budget to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to build several deep water wells in the affected areas. We hope the construction work will be completed next year," Widi said. He noted that the residents of the affected areas would no longer need to rely on other water sources, including "umbul wadon", after the construction of the water wells. "We want to ensure that clean water is directly available to the residents of these areas so the water problem gets solved for good,� Widi explained. He pointed out that the wells were also aimed at fulfilling the water needs of the livestock in the affected areas. "A majority of the people living on the slopes of Mount Merapi are breeders. Therefore, we also have to supply water to several cattle pens," Widi noted. In mid-2011, the Sleman district government began relocation efforts for the residents of Disaster-Prone Areas (KRB) III of Mount Merapi by building permanent shelters for 2,128 households in 16 locations. However, many Mount Merapi victims - from 592 households - were unwilling to relocate. The government plans to increase the number of permanent shelters to 3,023 units. At present, at least 854 units have been occupied by Mount Merapi victims.