RESIDENTS living near the Piparo mud volcano which erupted on Wednesday, spewing mud and gas from its vents and cracking the roads in surrounding communities are still hesitant about relocating from the area.

Fearing that they will have to pay for alternative housing and leave behind the homes they have built in the rural community, and where most have spent the majority of their lives, several told the Express yesterday that they were reluctant to do so.

One resident living near the volcano who identified himself only as “Jai” said a recommendation had been made to relocate residents within a certain radius of the volcano since it first erupted years ago.