Indra Harsaputra, Sidoarjo – Almost two months since it began, hot mud continues to pour from the ground in the East Java regency of Sidoarjo.
Work has been done, including setting up a snubbing unit to try and detect the exact source of the mud, building a relief well to block the mudflow and signing at least 140 contracts with various companies to speed up the work.
Still, as of Thursday, mining, oil and geology experts could not say whether these efforts were doing any good, and the mud continued to come, inundating around 190 hectares in Porong district.
This uncertainty over what, if anything, can be done to stem the mudflow, which started May 29 at the site where a gas well was being drilled, has turnpike operator PT Jasa Marga worried.
"If the mudflow can't be stopped soon, we plan to build a new turnpike. We're afraid the mudflow will again inundate the Surabaya-Gempol turnpike, forcing its closure again," said the company's president director, Frans Sunito, when inspecting the area.
He provided no details on where a new turnpike might be built, saying the company would first have to coordinate with the government over the plan. However, a new toll road could be the best option for the company, considering it lost about Rp 380 million (US$41,304) a day when the turnpike was closed the last time.
The road reopened to traffic last week, but the two-week closure caused export companies to lose Rp 1 billion a day, while the Organization of Land Transportation Owners estimated its members lost Rp 9 billion a day.
The secretary-general of the Association of Mining Companies in East Java, Hudin Al-Sorry, said the turnpike's reopening could not guarantee it would not again be affected by the mudflow. "Several companies have restarted their operations but who will be responsible if the mudflow again inundates the road?" he told The Jakarta Post.
Police have named the general manager of gas well driller Lapindo Brantas Inc., Imam Agustino, a suspect in the case, along with eight others.
The uncertainty that surrounds the mudflow and the efforts to stop the deluge has also affected residents.
"I'm worried about the psychological state of the mudflow victims in shelters if the mud can't be stopped," Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari said while visiting Pasar Baru market, where many residents have taken shelter. The Sidoarjo regency administration says more than 2,000 families, comprising more than 7,000 people, have lost their homes due to the mudflow.
To help the families, starting in August Lapindo will pay them up to Rp 2.5 million per year to allow them to rent houses until the mudflow problem is resolved. "What can you do? We were told to move out. We were happier living in our own houses and working like we used to," said Agus, a displaced resident.
Several people have been found trying to take advantage of the situation by applying for identity cards in the regency to allow them to collect money from the company.
Renokenongo village head Hasan said more people were applying for identity cards since Lapindo promised to pay compensation. He said at least 300 people were applying for cards each week, a sharp increase from the regular 50 applications.
"I didn't know some of the applicants but I had to help them because they got angry and threatened me. I'm a victim myself and I'd rather avoid conflict," he said.
Another concern is farmers whose fields have been inundated by the mud. They are worried about losing their livelihood because experts say the mud contains natrium, aluminum, iron and chloride, which could permanently damage the fertility land.
The mudflow also has affected 1,736 employees of 15 companies whose operations have been affected by the disaster. Most of these companies say they don't know when they might reopen.