"This is due to the high intensity of rainfall on the mount`s peak and the condition of some dams which have are covered in volcanic materials," a vulcanologist of Geology Faculty of Gadjah mada University, Bambang Widjaja Hariadi, said here Wednesday.
According to him, water from the Blongkeng, Batang and Lamat rivers was dammed up and could not reach the Putih River causing volcanic materials to pile up.
Therefore, when it was raining, volcanic materials would only flow through Putih River which could not optimally contain them.
"In such a condition, the potentials of cold lava flood carrying larger materials is still big and posing a threat to those who reside along the Putih River," he said.
The volcanic material dredging of the Putih river was conducted inappropriately, he said, adding that the dredged materials were only put at the side of the river that they might be washed away to the river again during the rain.
"If rain comes, the dredged materials would be swept away intensifying the amount of volcanic materials carried by the stream," he said.
To anticipate flooding, the dams of Blongkeng, Lamat, and Batang rivers should be opened, he said, adding that the stream would not flow only in the Putih River.
An Early Warning System should also be fixed and improved in addition to resident relocation to prevent further loss due to cold lava flood, he said. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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