Environmental problems likely as Chris sweeps Bali<\/p>\n
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar<\/p>\n
Cyclone Chris, which has whipped up waters off Bali and East
\nNusa Tenggara, intensified yesterday to a speed of around 150
\nkilometers per hour in the eastern Indian Ocean, compared to 108
\nkilometers per hour the previous day.<\/p>\n
Suarsa, an official from the Bali chapter of the Meteorology
\nand Geophysics Agency (BMG), said that the increase in wind
\nspeeds had also affected the currents in waters south of Java.<\/p>\n
Suarsa warned that waves off Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara had
\nreached a height of between one and three meters and that the sea
\ntemperature had risen to 31 degrees Celcius. \"The full impact on
\nthe cyclone will be monitored today,\" he said.<\/p>\n
BMG has been coordinating with related agencies including
\nprovincial administrations, Bali's police precinct and
\nenvironmental agencies and non-government organizations.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cok Budiana, head of the Bali Beach Conservation
\nProject, said that the cyclone would certainly create
\nenvironmental problems for the island's waters. \"Some beaches in
\nBali including Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua and Tanah Lot in Tabanan are
\nvulnerable to any natural changes, including the impact of a
\ncyclone,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The cyclone could cause erosion and displace sea sands, which
\ncould in turn increase the sea level and damage coral reefs,
\nBudiana explained.<\/p>\n
Serious flooding in Jakarta has also had severe impacts in
\nnorthern Bali.<\/p>\n
\"The flooding and landslides in Buleleng regency were an
\nindirect impact from Jakarta,\" he said. The strong current in the
\nnorthern Javanese sea caused the sea water currents in northern
\nBali to increase substantially, Buadiana said.<\/p>\n
He added that around 27 kilometers of Bali's total coastline
\nof 430 kilometers had been badly damaged. \"In anticipating
\npossible floods or erosion, our major focus is on closely
\nmonitoring the 2.8 kilometer stretch of beach near the Ngurah Rai
\nInternational Airport,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Denpasar, he said, was topographically similar to Jakarta.
\n\"Certain measures have already been taken to protect the city
\nfrom flooding.\" The construction of cribs and artificial gulf
\nareas on Kuta beach, for instance, would be able to prevent
\nseawater from penetrating the city.<\/p>\n
Oetom Hasibuan, technical director of Bali's Public Works
\nAgency, revealed the agency's contingency plans for possible
\nthunderstorms and floods.<\/p>\n
\"We have established a special flood control team which is
\ncoordinating with relevant agencies and regional administrations
\nto immediately implement necessary contingency plans,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Public Works Agency has prepared thousands of sandbags,
\nheavy equipment and other equipment to be used in the event of a
\ndisaster.<\/p>\n
While Bali is still dependent on other islands, especially
\nJava, for the distribution of staple foods and other daily needs,
\nseveral measures have been taken in anticipation of food
\nshortages.<\/p>\n
I Ketut Mendra, chief of Bali's Trade and Industry Office,
\ntold The Jakarta Post that some distribution spots in Java
\nincluding Situbondo in East Java had been cut off due to severe
\nflooding. \"We will find alternative means of transportation such
\nas sea transportation to ensure that food distribution is safe,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Currently, Bali needs about 32,000 tons of rice a month, some
\nof which is procured from Java. \"Other daily products such as
\nvegetable oil, butter, baby milk and soybean sauces will also be
\nprioritized,\" he said.<\/p>\n
If necessary, Bali has secured food supplies for one to three
\nmonths, Mendra added.<\/p>\n
In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, six ferries and ships operated
\nby state-owned PT ASDP stopped running due to high waves in
\nwaters surrounding the province and West Nusa Tenggara, while
\nlocal people were put on alert about possible torrential rains
\nand strong winds that could cause flash flooding on hundreds of
\nislands in the province.<\/p>\n
Torrential rain, flash flooding and landslides on Tuesday
\ncaused havoc along Australia's east coast, which was blackened
\njust a month ago by hundreds of bushfires.<\/p>\n
Two hospitals were evacuated and commuters faced major road
\nclosures for a second day as parts of freeways disappeared under
\nwater and water flooded the foyers of Sydney office blocks.<\/p>\n
In Western Australia, remote coastal communities were put on
\nalert as the cyclone, packing destructive winds and heavy rain,
\nbore down on them.<\/p>\n
Cyclone Chris was about 195 kilometers (120 miles) west of the
\ntourist resort town of Broome early Tuesday, moving southwest at
\n8 kilometers per hour (5 mph), the bureau of meteorology said.<\/p>",
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