EARTHQUAKE CHANGES LIFES OF PADANG PEOPLE WITHIN MINUTES

From Nurulhuda Che Das

PADANG (INDONESIA), Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The lifestyle of people living in
Padang, comprising mainly 'Minangkabaus' has changed drastically overnight due
to a massive earthquake that deformed the landscape of West Sumatera, killing
about 1,000 people recently.

The luxury of watching local TV serials from the comfort of their living or
bedrooms, has been reduced to gazing at stars from their roofless homes or
makeshift tents while waiting for restoration works which may take months to
complete.

After the Sept 30 earthquake that measured 7.7 on the Richter scale,
flattened their houses, buildings and public amnesties, most of them are left
homeless while some are said to be still reeling from the trauma of the tragic
incident that claimed lives of their loved ones.

It was no different for Pirda Atip, 29, who lived in Desa Rumbai, Kota
Pariaman, Pariaman, about 60km from Padang.

Atip's house which was a legacy of his father's hard work, and home to his
family comprising his mother, wife, children and two of his brothers, was
destroyed minutes after the quake struck.

"At the time, we were watching a local serial on TV when our whole house
shook. We all ran out to see what was happening and minutes later the whole
house came tumbling down," said Atip, a farmer.

Atip said they were going through a nightmare since the earthquake as they
were homeless, without water or electricity.

"However, I am grateful that my wife, children, mother and other family
members are safe. The difficult situation may continue for two or three months
since aid has started flowing in," he told Bernama here Saturday.

According to Atip, a small tent set up next to his destroyed house,
currently was home to about 12 children, aged between 3 and 12.

"Those who lived in the neighbourhood were all my relation and they too had
suffered a similar fate. At night, we elders sleep in the open space while the
children sleep inside the tent," he said.

He added that there was minimal loss of life in his village (Desa Rumbai)
but most of the houses were either destroyed or badly damaged.
-- BERNAMA