Two decades after the Lapindo mudflow disaster began on May 29, 2006, many affected residents continue to live in constrained circumstances, grappling with unresolved economic, health, and environmental challenges. Whether they have relocated or remained in the area, these families are still fighting to rebuild a sense of security and well-being that has yet to be fully restored.
On a quiet afternoon in the Renojoyo housing complex, the atmosphere remains subdued. This settlement was built by residents from the former village of Renokenongo—a community submerged by the Lapindo mud two decades ago. Before moving to this permanent site, members of the Renokenongo Citizens’ Association (Pagar Rekontrak) spent four years in the Pasar Baru Porong evacuation center. Since 2010, approximately 600 families have occupied this 10-hectare site in Kedungsolo Village, located roughly six kilometers southwest of the mudflow’s epicenter.
For these survivors, life at the new housing complex began from scratch. Residents transformed what was once agricultural land into a modest living space, yet the transition brought new hardships, particularly regarding basic resources.
The Struggle for Clean Water
Siti Mukaidah, a 49-year-old survivor who moved to Renojoyo in 2010, explains that while living further from the embankment offers peace of mind, daily life remains a struggle. Access to clean water is a constant hurdle; residents must purchase water from mountain tankers for drinking, as the local well water is often cloudy. Despite receiving compensation from Lapindo, the disaster has not ushered in prosperity. Many residents lost their livelihoods when their farmlands were buried, forcing them to take on odd jobs—from childcare and elder care to food preparation—to make ends meet. Siti admits that while the new house is structurally better, the sense of community and the economic security of her old village are deeply missed.
Health Concerns and Environmental Fear
Health issues have become a primary source of anxiety. In the last two months alone, six residents in the complex passed away from various illnesses, including breast, liver, thyroid, and nasal cancers. Access to medical care is often hindered by financial constraints, with some residents opting for herbal remedies or receiving inadequate treatment. While there is no official medical confirmation linking these deaths to the environmental conditions near the mudflow, residents note that many symptoms emerged only after their displacement to Kedungsolo.
The persistent smell of the mud serves as a daily reminder of the disaster. Suri Wahono, another resident, echoes this sentiment, noting that although the fear of being overrun by mud has subsided, the stench remains a lingering presence. Wahono, a former silver craftsman, faced his own economic battle after the pandemic forced him to pivot to brass crafting due to rising material costs. Despite these hurdles, he works independently from a small home studio to keep production costs manageable.
The “Forgotten” Residents of Mindi
In contrast to those who relocated, Muna Ariyanti, 49, remains in the Mindi district, less than 100 meters from the embankment. Though the area is designated as a high-risk zone, Muna has stayed because the compensation for her small family home would be insufficient to purchase a new property for the four families living there. Administratively, Mindi residents are considered moved to Porong, leaving those remaining in the shadow of the Porong Station effectively forgotten. The infrastructure has deteriorated, with water-logged roads left unrepaired. Muna survives by operating a motorcycle parking service near the station, a modest income stream that barely covers her needs in the wake of her husband’s death from cancer and her own battle with heart disease.
Preserving Memory Through the Eyes of Children
The tragedy continues to impact the younger generation. During a recent event at Taman Dwarakerta, children from local schools drew pictures of the Lapindo mudflow, depicting gray smoke and heavy machinery. For students like Alvero Rafiski and Tisya, these drawings are more than just art—they are expressions of hope. They dream of a future with clean air, beautiful flowers, and an end to the mud that shadows their daily lives.
A Call for Government Responsibility
Public policy expert Parlaungan Iffah Nasution from Airlangga University views the 20-year stagnation as a clear case of government negligence. He argues that the authorities have failed to address the negative externalities affecting those who remain in the vicinity of the embankment. Parlaungan emphasizes that the government must implement affirmative policies, such as fully subsidized health insurance for these vulnerable groups, and stop viewing them as the general public.
Ultimately, the responsibility of Lapindo Brantas remains a critical issue. “A company’s responsibility does not end when a disaster is created,” Parlaungan states, calling for the government to act as a bridge to ensure the company addresses the ongoing environmental and social damage. As the 20th anniversary approaches, the community continues to demand not just compensation, but a restoration of their fundamental right to a safe, sustainable future.
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- Government halts Lapindo Brantas drilling plans
- A decade on, the impact of the Sidoarjo mudflow remains visible
- Lapindo compensation payments ‘stalled’
Summary
Two decades after the Lapindo mudflow began in May 2006, affected residents continue to face significant economic, health, and environmental challenges. Those who relocated to areas like Renojoyo struggle with basic needs such as clean water, requiring them to purchase it from tankers, and have lost previous livelihoods due to submerged farmlands. Residents also express serious health concerns, noting an increase in illnesses including various cancers, which they link to their displacement and the persistent environmental conditions.
Conversely, some residents remain in high-risk zones like Mindi, less than 100 meters from the mudflow, due to insufficient compensation and neglect of basic infrastructure. The disaster’s impact extends to the younger generation, who express their hopes for a cleaner future free from the mud. Experts highlight government negligence and emphasize the need for affirmative policies, such as subsidized health insurance, and stress that Lapindo Brantas’s responsibility for environmental and social damage remains critical.