Roburan Dolok Village in Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra, is grappling with a growing crisis as hot mudflows erupt in multiple locations, stirring fears of a repeat of the devastating Lapindo mud volcano disaster. The situation has prompted local authorities to seek urgent assistance from the national government.

Expanding mudflow Sites

Mandailing Natal Regent Saipullah Nasution reported the emergence of three new mudflow sites in recent months, adding to the existing smaller flows observed in the village over the past few years.Each new site covers about 25 square meters, with two or three active eruptions at each location, he stated.The rapid expansion of these sites has raised concerns about potential environmental and health hazards.

Government Response and Investigation

In response to the escalating situation, the local government is taking steps to assess the risks posed by the mudflows.we will send a letter to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, requesting that thay deploy a team to assess whether the mudflow is toxic and poses a danger to human health, Nasution explained. This will help us determine the appropriate measures to address the issue. The Mandailing Natal Surroundings Agency has already collected samples of the mudflow for compositional analysis.

impact on Local Communities

The mudflow eruption has severely impacted the livelihoods of Roburan Dolok villagers, most of whom depend on farming. Khoiruddin, a local resident, described the devastating effects: The mudflow has destroyed several rubber and rice crops and left some farmland infertile. The mud has also contaminated the clean water supply for four nearby villages, while the gas emitted from the mudflow has polluted the air in the region. He added, We have had small mudflow eruptions for years, but recently, more eruptions have appeared, covering much larger areas.

Possible Link to Geothermal Operations

Rianda Purba, Executive Director of the North Sumatra office of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), highlighted the proximity of the mudflow eruptions to a drilling site operated by PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP). Most of these mudflow eruptions are located just 10 to 15 meters from a drilling site operated by PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP), he stated. He further noted, the company claims they drilled the site in 2017 but halted their activities as of a lack of geothermal resources. It is suspected that the spreading mudflow is linked to the company’s operations.

past Incidents and concerns

Walhi has pointed out that PT SMGP has been linked to several disasters in the region since commencing operations in 2017. In February of last year, residents of Sibanggor Julu and Sibanggor Tonga fell ill after SMGP began operating a geothermal well. At least 123 people were hospitalized for suspected toxic gas poisoning,and around 300 others were evacuated. similar incidents occurred in 2022 and 2021, resulting in multiple fatalities.

Calls for Action and Lessons from Lapindo

Rianda Purba has urged the government to take immediate action, emphasizing the need to prevent a repeat of the Lapindo mud volcano disaster. We must learn from the Lapindo disaster. We don’t want the residents of Mandailing Natal to become the next victims of a mud volcano, he warned.

In May 2006, a rice paddy in East Java suddenly split open, unleashing a torrent of steaming mud, triggered by drilling operations by the oil and gas company PT Lapindo Brantas.

Report on the Lapindo Mud Volcano Disaster

The Lapindo disaster displaced nearly 40,000 people and caused damages exceeding $2.7 billion. The mudflow continues to erupt to this day.

Company Denial

PT SMGP has denied any connection between their operations and the mudflow eruptions in Roburan Dolok village,asserting that the incidents are a natural phenomenon that has been occurring in the area for the past four years.