21 Titik Lumpur Panas Bermunculan di Mandailing Natal | Beritasatu

Summary

In an interview with Bapak Salahudin, the head of Roburan Dolok village in Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra, he discusses the alarming rise of hot mud springs in the area, which have now reached 21 points. These springs are severely impacting local agriculture, contaminating water sources, and causing distress among villagers. While local authorities, including the Bupati and BPBD, have conducted site inspections, concerns persist about the role of nearby geothermal energy company SMGP. The villagers hope for serious intervention, particularly to protect their essential clean water supply, and are urging further investigation into the cause and mitigation of the crisis.

Takeaways

• 😀 21 points of hot mud eruptions have been discovered in Roburan Dolok, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra.
• 😀 The eruptions began around 6 years ago, starting as small heat spots before gradually expanding and growing larger.
• 😀 The hot mud eruptions have caused significant damage to local agriculture, including rubber plantations and rice fields.
• 😀 The eruptions are now affecting the village's water source, where hot water mixed with mud is contaminating the river used for drinking and bathing.
• 😀 The local government, including the Bupati of Mandailing Natal, has visited the site, and discussions with the BPBD and SNWP have taken place.
• 😀 The SMGP (the private energy company operating in the area) has been implicated in the emergence of the hot mud spots, with some claiming it is linked to their operations.
• 😀 While SMGP has explained the phenomenon as a natural occurrence due to underground faults, local villagers suspect the company's activities have contributed to the problem.
• 😀 Despite multiple inspections by SMGP representatives, the local community feels that the company has not taken sufficient action to resolve the issue.
• 😀 The villagers are urging the government to protect their water source, with a suggestion to build barriers and redirect the flow of water to avoid further contamination.
• 😀 The community hopes for more serious government intervention to safeguard their water supply, which serves four villages in the area.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the interview?

The interview focuses on the hot mud eruptions in the village of Roburan Dolok, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra, and their impact on the local community, particularly the damage to farmland and the potential contamination of the village's clean water source.

How many points of hot mud eruptions have been detected in the village?

Currently, there are 21 points of hot mud eruptions in the village.

How long has this issue been ongoing?

The hot mud eruptions started around six years ago with smaller points, and over time, these eruptions have grown larger and more widespread.

What has been the impact of these eruptions on local farmland?

The eruptions have severely affected local farmland, including rubber plantations and rice paddies, making it impossible to continue farming in certain areas.

What is the most concerning eruption currently happening in the village?

The most concerning eruption is near the village's clean water source, a river used for drinking and bathing, which is at risk of contamination, particularly during the rainy season.

What measures have the local authorities taken to address the issue?

On April 27, the regent of Mandailing Natal visited the site to assess the situation, meeting with local authorities, the BPBD, and SMGP. The government is also planning to send experts from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to evaluate the problem.

How does SMGP, the energy company, explain the cause of the eruptions?

SMGP explains that the eruptions are caused by geological fault lines beneath the ground. However, the villagers are concerned that these eruptions have intensified since SMGP began operations in the area.

What is the villagers' response to SMGP's explanation?

The villagers are skeptical of SMGP's explanation and are urging the company to take responsibility for the eruptions, as they believe the issue has worsened since the company began operations in the region.

What specific request have the villagers made to protect their water source?

The villagers have requested the construction of a dam or similar infrastructure to divert the hot mud and prevent it from reaching their water source, which supplies clean water to multiple villages.

What is the main priority for the villagers in dealing with this issue?

The primary concern for the villagers is protecting their clean water source, which is vital for drinking and daily needs. They are calling for urgent and effective action to safeguard this resource and their livelihoods.