Sea water slowly expelled from the city life Singkil, Aceh. Homes, schools, police stations, mosques and ambles into the earth, then filled with water. Singkil city will likely meet the fate of the old Singkil first lost in the Indian Ocean.
The morning was clear skies after days of rain before sending clouds. We go downstream along the river by boat Singkil to look for traces of the old town of Singkil.
NYPA and dense mangroves bordering the banks of the river. About 45 minutes boat, we arrived at the beach. Rows of trees to dry. Roots and partially submerged tree trunks.
"This used to be dense forest. After the earthquake in 2004 and 2005, ground down. Dead trees. Mangroves that can only grow, "said Alimuddin (64), so new residents Singkil guide. "Here there are graves, rail, wells, and the walls of the house," said Alimuddin. He then led us into the swamp to find the ruins of the abandoned city.
Dense growth of mangroves, mud up to Sepaha it. "The last here three years ago not selebat this," said Alimuddin confusion.
Alimuddin suddenly running quickly disappeared in the dense mangroves. We were separated and scattered. Of forest, Rai appeared Radi (34). "Wow, you guys scare the birds. There will not catch today, "complained the man from the village of Ujung, Singkil.
Rai Singkil bird hunting in a long time since 10 years ago. He made a cage trap that was given coconut water and eat an. Each bird will not be able to get out. Only birds and fish that can live in the old Singkil.
"In fact, this is where our grandparents used to live," he said. Rai then pointed digging holes gaping at some point. "That old man looking to dig for treasure," he said.
Rai took a long time looking for relics Singkil. In swamps surrounded by dense mangroves, we found the ruins of the old cemetery surrounded by a brick wall. We also found coins bearing the Dutch East Indies dates to 1834, broken tiles and glass, old wells, and the ruins of a brick wall. "It's just a rest. Said the old, formerly of the side walls there are many rows of houses, "Rai said, pointing to the Indian Ocean.
"Galoro"
There was no record of exactly when Singkil time lost. However, based on records Moehammad Saleh in his autobiography, the tale of Perasaian Hidoep and Only, 1965, until the mid-19th century, the city of Singkil still one of the trade center.
Around the beginning of 1861, Saleh sailed to Singkil to trade. He spent a couple of days, then sailed back to Pariaman. "Not long ago I was in Pariaman, returning from Singkil, broke the news that the market Singkil drowned, buried since the surge (sea water) which accompanied the earthquake ride," wrote Saleh. The quake was called Saleh has sunk burnt-Djawi Djawi near the Singkil. "Not only that demolished Singkil market, burial ground was swept away by flood slippery. Many people fled, fled to the south Singkil body, the tip of onion. "
In recording the people, long abandoned because of torn Singkil galoro, the big wave that hit the mainland after the earthquake. "The story is repeatedly told galoro our parents," said Datuk Amir Alam (74), resident mill, Singkil. "We just found out galoro was like a tsunami after the earthquake, December 26, 2004."
After the hit galoro, long Singkil residents moved away from the mouth of the Kuala Singkil. The new settlement now known as Singkil. "The first settlement at the far end mill near the river, and then spread to the tip of the Village, Village Market, and Sarok Island."
New Singkil
However, the city of Singkil (new) next to the river, about 45 minutes from Singkil old motor boating, again sank after being hit by an earthquake on December 26, 2004, followed by an earthquake on March 28, 2005.
After two earthquakes, the land subsidence in Singkil. Researchers earthquake Indonesia Institute of Sciences, Danny Hilman, find, land in Singkil fell 0.5 meters to 1.5 meters due to the earthquake in March 2005.
At least 3,000 houses submerged in sea water Singkil a result of declining soil. Residents forced to leave the house. Some of them come back and raise the floor of their house.
Abnan Beams (44), resident mill village, Singkil, said it was three times the raised floor of his house. As a result, the distance floors and ceilings are getting shorter.
"In fact, the fish market here first, so crowded," said Bakarudin (63), a resident of the Village Market, Singkil, lamenting that his city continues to sink.
The loss of the old and the sinking of Singkil Singkil (new) proves the power of nature in altering the course of history.