Fund scarcity curbs efforts for flood relief<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso admitted that a shortage of
\nfunds in the city budget has meant his administration is unable
\nto combat flooding effectively.<\/p>\n
\"We have to admit that we haven't handled flooding problems
\noptimally and integrally due to a scarcity of funds,\" the
\ngovernor said on Friday in a written speech read by Deputy
\nGovernor for Social Welfare Affair Djailani.<\/p>\n
He said the financial situation has made the administration
\nunable to even provide basic equipment and facilities to
\nresidents living in flood-prone areas.<\/p>\n
It has also meant that a plan to build a canal in the eastern
\npart of Jakarta aimed at improving the flow of the heavy volume
\nof water from Bogor towards the capital, particularly during the
\nrainy season, has not been realized<\/p>\n
The plan was introduced some 26 years ago by the city
\nadministration, the governor said in a speech to a special joint
\nteam assigned to handle flooding during the recently started
\nrainy season.<\/p>\n
Subject<\/p>\n
Parts of East Jakarta are often subject to flooding during the
\nrainy season, mainly due to the heavy flow of water from Bogor
\nthat runs through the Ciliwung river.<\/p>\n
Sometimes heavy rain in the mountainous area of Bogor can
\nflood houses in Jakarta, particularly those close to rivers, even
\nif it is not raining locally.<\/p>\n
After reading the speech, Djailani then inspected the flood
\nhandling team's preparations. The ceremony took place at the
\nNational Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
This year, the city administration ordered a total of 1,065
\nofficers from each mayoralty Public Order office and Flood Posts
\nto join the team.<\/p>\n
Apparatuses such as rubber boats and life jackets displayed by
\nthe team during the ceremony looked old and out-of-date. It was
\nalso unclear whether all of the equipment was in working order.<\/p>\n
Alert<\/p>\n
Head of the city health office Aslan Lasman said he had
\nordered 43 community health centers across the capital to be on
\n24 hour alert to handle all scenarios.<\/p>\n
\"We have also prepared medicines to anticipate diseases which
\nmight occur in flood-prone areas,\" Lasman said.<\/p>\n
The city administration has noted at least 108 flooding
\nblack spots in the city, many of which are close to the Ciliwung
\nriver.<\/p>\n
During the rainy season, several major streets including Jl.
\nYos Sudarso in North Jakarta and Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah in South
\nJakarta are often flooded.<\/p>\n
People living close to Ciliwung river said earlier that they
\nhad made \"necessary and routine preparations\" for the rainy
\nseason.<\/p>\n
The residents, mostly poor people, said that floods were part
\nof their lives and that there was nothing for them to complain
\nabout.<\/p>\n
\"There is nothing to be worried about when the floods come as
\nthey have become routine for us,\" a resident said.<\/p>\n
Many of the residents live in poorly constructed two-story
\nhouses. They usually put their electronic goods, documents and
\nother valuables -- wrapped in plastic -- in rooms on the second
\nfloor. (jun)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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