Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has assured that the government will build 335 earthquake-resistant homes for families affected severely by Mount Marapi's recent cold lava eruption.

The earthquake-resistant houses will be built by the Public Works and Housing Ministry in Agam and Tanah Datar districts, West Sumatra, the agency's spokesperson, Abdul Muhari, said on Wednesday.

The Agam district government has provided 100 hectares of land, while the Tanah Datar administration has prepared 10 hectares of land for the construction of the houses, he said.

According to Muhari, the 335 houses will be "Risha" units, or "Rumah Instan Sederhana Sehat" (healthy simple instant homes), designed for households affected by disasters.

"Risha" units are quake-resistant, so they would be ideal for people living in West Sumatra, which is among the disaster-prone regions in Indonesia, he said.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited Agam district to oversee the land prepared for the housing construction project on Tuesday, he added.

During his visit, Jokowi noted that disaster emergency measures in Agam and Tanah Datar have been running well.

Mount Marapi first erupted on December 3, 2023, at about 2:54 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The eruption trapped 75 hikers on the slopes.

The volcano erupted again on January 6 around 8:45 p.m. local time.

On May 11 evening, cold lava flows from Mount Marapi and landslides were recorded in several parts of Agam and Tanah Datar districts as well as Padang Panjang city. The disaster claimed at least 61 lives.

It also caused serious damage to many local residents' homes, businesses, and public facilities in the affected areas.

The disaster also severely damaged several road sections, including the one near Anai Valley's waterfall, disrupting the movement of people and goods between Padang and Bukittinggi.

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Translator: M.Riezko BEP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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