REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- The government would build 14 dams to protect residents in North Sumatra's district of Karo from cold lava flood, as an impact of Mount Sinabung eruption. The dams to be built in stages to 2019. "The dams are built to prevent cold lava from flowing over housing area and farming in Karo," head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei Willem said here on Wednesday.

Willem explained construction of the dams has been one of infrastructure development project, as part of rehabilitation and relocation process after the eruption of Sinabung. The project would be implemented by local administrations in cooperation with the central government.

Mount Sinabung's eruption has made 18 villages abandoned by its residents, including Berastepu village, Karo, North Sumatra.

Willem said, of the 14 dams that would be built until 2019, construction of 10 of the dams would be completed in 2018. While the remaining four dams would be finalized in 2019.

The authority, he added, would need light tower, safety warning system, and six units of heavy equipment to clean up the cold lava.

"BNPB has appreciated Karo administration for its success to limit the negative impact of Mount Sinabung eruption in its latest eruption on February 18," he said after inspecting development of a dam in Tiganderket subdistrict.

Cold lava runs into Sigarang-Garang village, Karo, North Sumatra on Friday (Feb 23).

The local government's quick response has saved many lives when the volcano erupted again, he noted. "As we could not predict until when this volcano will stop since its first eruption in 2010, people should adhere to government's advice not to stay or make any activities within a certain radius from Mount Sinabung," he said.

In 2010 Sinabung erupted for the first time after 410 years. 

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