THE villagers at Renokenongo, Sidoarjo regency in East Java are becoming used to the stench of rotten eggs. For nearly one month, hot mud mixed with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) continues to spout from the earths bowels.

Flowing hot mud has now become an unstoppable disaster, spreading to neighboring villages such as Jatirejo and Siring. Local residents find themselves forcing their lungs to breathe polluted air. Consequently, more than 800 people have