14th Feb 2014, Indonesia’s volcano Mount Kelud erupted, blasted debris and ash about twelve miles into the atmosphere, with over 200,000 residence misplaced. Mount Kelud’s volcanic explosion on the island of east Java, Indonesia which could be heard 200km away..
On 21st Feb, some are returning home after one week in temporary shelters to find they have lost everything, their homes and streets are filled with ash, mud, debris and broken house hold items. The crops are dead, roof filled with holes and the cows are hungry.
Some locals still sleep in their neighbors/cousins houses awaiting their own homes to be fixed. They return to their homes to start cleaning but each time it rains they return back to the temporary shelters. Many don’t have a roof over their heads or a bed to sleep on.
Here are some scenes from the two mountain side towns that were most effected and damaged. The daily lives of the people living today in Pandansari and Kutut in the Ngantang, Malang district.
Many local NGOs, local army and communities have came to give them a helping hand in cleaning, food aid and supplies donations. But they still need help as there is so much rebuilding and development needed. They need food, daily aid, living supplies, clothing, medication, cleaning and to start living again.
20th Feb, found my way to the Red Cross Indonesia based in Pujon, Malang, a mountain side town where I am staying now.
A family all excited to finally return home after one week in the relocation centre. They live behind a mosque in the effected zone. They told me to come visit them in their homes, I said I will.
The army and local volunteers helping out in the daily cooking and food distribution. They have a whole line of food packing going on with students and university grads.
I saw him while I was walking about in the hillside streets of Pujon, Malang where the Mount Kelud rescue base is. He sat by himself in a entrance area and I walk towards him, realising later that it was a cemetery. We spoke in bahasa Indonesia. “So do you work here?” “No… I’m just sitting here. I am from around here.
I been here since I was born.” “Ok, so how old are you now?” He laughed! “I’m 90 I think, I’m always here, but my kids are in Hong Kong and one married in Malaysia.
She is Malaysian now.” He continued.. “Do you know this cemetery is mix with all religions, they are all here?” “Really? Wow.” “Yes, it has all buried here, Islam, Hindu, Christians.. all are here. You should walk in and see the other cemeteries, just walk straight and turn left. Yea you should go inside and see” I smiled and walked in, finding my way in this cemetery. I looked back to say goodbye this weird man.. but he was gone.
Our first view at Mount Kelud. There was a funny kinda silent in the truck.. we could still the volcanic smoke coming out from the mountain.
A local resident of Pandansari, Ngantang sits on his roof top fixing tiles and the damages caused by the Mount Kelud eruption. His home is covered by ash and debris. He then got down and ask me to come in..
22nd Feb – A scene from the top of the small town in Kutut, Pandansari, Ngantang in Indonesia one week after the Mount Kelud erupted. This town is at the foot of the mountain – ground zero.
23rd Feb – Hell broke loose when the rain and dark clouds came but the army took charge and made sure they got everyone out. The red alert was due to heavy rain will cause heavy mud and ash flow. (lahar dingin) which will sweep away everything, even me.
The rain came and all hell broke loose… the army personnel start chasing everyone out of the river banks and ground zero out to higher land. Many started to fled since authorities put up a high alert of this zone, villagers had to leave today to shelters again
Leaving your home is not easy, especially if you have lived there since you were born. They lost everything to the volcanic eruption of Mount Kelud, Indonesia
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