Katulampa revived as early flood warning post<\/p>\n
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor<\/p>\n
An automatic water-prediction post has been established at the
\nKatulampa dam in Bogor as part of the rejuvenation project to
\nprevent flooding in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The dam is the first check point of the water flow-rate and
\nheight in Ciliwung river, the longest among 11 rivers running
\nthrough Jakarta, from its upper course in Puncak mountain resort.<\/p>\n
Aside from the post, which functions also as an observation
\nand early warning station, the project includes the renovation of
\na hanging bridge, the installment of a precipitation measuring
\ncup and aesthetic developments in the surrounding areas. The cost
\nof the project is Rp 300 million ($US35,294), funded by the West
\nJava provincial budget.<\/p>\n
According to the project manager from the water resources
\ndirectorate general of the Ministry of Resettlement and Regional
\nInfrastructure, Wahyu Hartomo, if water reached the height of 240
\ncentimeters above the dam's spillway and 270 cm at the Depok
\nsluice gate, most likely water would overflow from the West Flood
\nCanal in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
With such conditions, the State and Merdeka Palaces in Central
\nJakarta could be flooded, he said.<\/p>\n
During the 2002 floods, the palaces were inundated up to 25 cm
\nafter sluice gates in Manggarai were opened. The water receded
\nafter some Jakarta administration officers used portable water
\npumps to dry out the palaces.<\/p>\n
West Java Governor Danny Setiawan, who inspected the facility
\non Thursday, said that President Megawati Soekarnoputri had
\ncalled on him to coordinate with Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso to
\nprepare for the possibility of floods.<\/p>\n
\"We must take comprehensive steps both in the upstream and
\ndownstream areas,\" he said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
The two provinces would work together in building a 100-
\nhectare dam in Gadog village, Bogor, to reduce flooding, said
\nDanny.<\/p>\n
Wahyu elaborated, saying that the future dam would retain 16
\nmillion to 19 million cubic-meters of water to be used during the
\ndry season. The land clearance (set to start this year) and
\ncontruction would cost approximately Rp 150 billion.<\/p>\n
Danny criticized the Bogor regency administration for its
\nfeeble law enforcement resulting in the mushrooming villas in
\nPuncak area and further destruction of water catchments and
\nrivers' upstream areas.<\/p>\n
\"The Bogor regency administration grants building licenses too
\neasily,\" he said. \"The villas, particularly the illegal ones
\n(whose owners) did not obtain a license, must be regulated.\"<\/p>\n
The regency public order agency recorded in 2002 that of the
\n1,721 villas in Puncak, 840 were built illegally.<\/p>\n
Many people have blamed the overdeveloped Puncak area for the
\nannual flooding in Jakarta. The capital saw heavy downpour over
\nthe last few days and residents in several areas had to welcome
\nin the new year equipped with buckets to remove water from their
\nhouses.<\/p>\n
The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has forecast that
\nrain will fall almost daily in January and February.<\/p>",
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