Abrasion has left only half or less than 1 hectare of the island above the sea surface, Adelbert Gultom, lighthouse attendant, told reporters visiting that island to plant trees under a re-vegetation mission.
Gultom said the threat of abrasion is high in the eastern coast of the island that his official house and the lighthouse have to be moved to the western part of the island.
Many coconut trees, ketapang (a kind of almond tree) and other trees fell down after being hit by big waves, he said.
In 2012, the Sea Communication Directorate, which measured the Rat Island, said the atoll was only 8,180 square meters left.
The atoll has been frequently visited by divers, surfers and snorkelers. Traditional fishermen in that area would go to the island when they were hit by storms and ran out of fuel in the sea. (*/DWA)
: Dewa Sudiarta Wiguna
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