IO – The Sunda Strait tsunami that struck in the evening of Saturday, December 22, 2018, reportedly triggered by an underwater avalanche on Mount Anak Krakatau, swept a broad area of Banten, Serang, and Lampung. The five districts affected included Serang, Pandeglang, South Lampung, Persawahan and Tanggamus, with at least 437 people killed, 14,059 injured and 16 still missing. 33,721 inhabitants have been displaced by the natural disaster. Coastal areas are in ruins, houses destroyed, public facilities damaged, and outside aid has begun to arrive, easing the burden of the victims.
Now, after the tsunami, the community has begun to resume normal routines of life while continuing to clean up their environment, hunt for belongings, collect remaining assets and sail once more. At night, they are still ready to flee to higher ground as Anak Krakatau is still reportedly rumbling, reportedly at “Status 3”. Booming eruptions are frequently heard, with hot clouds and ash billowing into the sky.
Economic activity is still recovering in the Tanjung Lesung area to Sumur Village; lodging that used to be crowded with visitors is now deserted. Children do not go to school, even though tent schools have been built for temporary classes, enabling them to get their education. Assistance has been fairly well distributed thus far.
At present, visitors need not be afraid of coming and spending time traveling through the charming coastal Anyer area.
To rebuild the economy, let us revive tourism in Carita, Labuan, Pandeglang, Anyer and their surroundings.
(Yoga Agusta)
