City makes plan to anticipate floods<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is preparing for the
\ncoming rainy season and its usual floods by establishing task-
\nforce teams in each mayoralty to watch over the 80 spots
\nvulnerable to flooding.<\/p>\n
City administration spokesman Muhayat told The Jakarta Post on
\nSaturday that the teams set up by the Public Works Office had a
\ntotal of 60 people, who would be helped by other watchers in 42
\ndistricts.<\/p>\n
This year, records indicate that North Jakarta has 23 spots
\nvulnerable to flooding, South Jakarta has 19, West Jakarta 17,
\nEast Jakarta 12 and Central Jakarta nine.<\/p>\n
\"These spots have been known as flood-prone areas for years.
\nWith the flood-control system we've been developing, we have
\nmanaged to lower the water level and reduce the flooding time at
\neach point,\" Muhayat said.<\/p>\n
He said that the teams in each mayoralty would report to the
\nflood inspection office in Depok whenever the water level in the
\ncity rivers reach threatening heights. \"In this way residents
\nwill be alerted earlier.\"<\/p>\n
Experts have said frequently that eliminating floods from the
\ncapital would be impossible as 40 percent of the city is below
\nsea level. Flood-control projects will require a huge amount of
\nmoney.<\/p>\n
According to Governor Sutiyoso, what the administration could
\ndo is prepare a rescue program, protecting as many people as
\npossible from the danger of flood.<\/p>\n
Muhayat reiterated that arbitrary waste dumping played a
\nsignificant role in the city flooding as 15 percent of household
\nwaste had been dumped into waterways and clogged the residential
\nsewage systems. \"A total of 580 kilometers of waterways have been
\ncleaned up.\"<\/p>\n
He said that his office also had made 50,000 sacks of sand
\navailable to block the water from spilling over from the rivers
\nduring heavy rains. \"As many as 35,000 sacks have been
\ndistributed to all five mayoralties.<\/p>\n
\"Ten portable suction pumps and 53 mobile water pumps are also
\navailable. The 24-hour flood watches will be established at the
\nfour main sluice gates in Manggarai, South Jakarta, Sunter, North
\nJakarta, Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, and Depok.\"<\/p>\n
Asked about the flooding which hit Soekarno-Hatta
\nInternational Airport toll road earlier this year, Muhayat said
\nthe central government was in charge of that matter.<\/p>\n
\"The height of the toll road should be raised and the two
\nrivers along the toll need to be widened and dredged.\"<\/p>\n
\"Once the project is completed, the road will be free from
\ninundation,\" he said. (dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/city-makes-plan-to-anticipate-floods-1447893297",
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