Govt to build flood control system in southern Java<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government is planning to build a flood
\ncontrol system at the southern part of Java in an effort to deal
\nwith related natural disasters in the area, an official said on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
\"This long-term project will be implemented through drainage
\nconstruction at eight major rivers in Central Java which flow to
\nthe southern coast of Java,\" Director General for Village
\nDevelopment at the Ministry of Settlement and Regional
\nInfrastructure Soenarno told media after a meeting on clean river
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
\"From Yogyakarta to Cilacap, there are eight rivers blocked by
\nsand due to strong ocean currents and waves at the south coast of
\nJava,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, the ministry is planning to build open drainage
\nsystems to avoid possible sand deposits due to continuous ocean
\nwaves in rivers of Uluk Ulo, Bogowonto, Cokroyasa, Ijo, Telomoyo,
\nTipar, Serayu and Wawar.\"<\/p>\n
The project, which is slated to be completed in 2004, is
\nestimated to cost around Rp 300 billion (US$32.6 million). A part
\nof the project's expenditures will be financed through the Asian
\nDevelopment Bank (ADB) loan.<\/p>\n
\"This year the (drainage) development priority is at Wawar
\nriver in Gombong, Central Java. Hopefully the construction in
\nGombong will be completed next year,\" Soenarno said.<\/p>\n
He said Central Java is still prone to floods and landslides
\nsince many of the province's rivers are not properly managed with
\nadequate supporting construction such as dam or drainage system.<\/p>\n
\"In such conditions, if the area experiences torrential rains,
\nfloods will be unavoidable,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Central Java is home to 128 streams, which need drainage
\nconstruction of at least 8,000 kilometers, he explained.<\/p>\n
\"So far there is only 4,067 kilometers of drainage
\nconstruction, some 165 kilometers of which are in critical
\ncondition.<\/p>\n
\"This could cause a massive flood, especially in southern
\ncoastal area, from Yogyakarta to Cilacap regency,\" the official
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we call on all people and related authorities to
\nbe alert to this condition especially with the recent landslides.
\nWe should have an early warning system,\" he added.<\/p>\n
As for the flood control system in Purbalingga, Central Java,
\nSoenarno said that Klawing river, which is a branch of Bogowonto,
\nwill also be included in the project.<\/p>\n
\"Klawing river -- which is long and full of curves -- has
\npotential to damage the existing infrastructure, including dam
\nand bridges. Therefore it should go into the program, too,\"
\nSoenarno said.<\/p>\n
Flood and landslides in regencies of Purworejo and Cilacap
\nhave claimed at least 78 people in the past couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
Most of the incidents were blamed on widespread environmental
\ndestruction which resulted from continuous and rampant illegal
\ncutting in tropical forest in Cilacap area, as well as
\nsedimentation due to massive household and industrial activities
\nwhich affected its rivers. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-build-flood-control-system-in-southern-java-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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