Massive flooding may affect 2m people<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Massive flooding predicted to hit the city
\nduring the upcoming rainy season will likely affect about two
\nmillion people but there remains a shortage of equipment to
\nassist them, data at the City Social Services Agency revealed
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The estimate is more than double the number of victims in 1996
\nwhen Jakarta was hit by the most widespread flooding in its
\nhistory. The city's population is about 10 million.<\/p>\n
An official of the agency who asked not to be named said
\nyesterday the prediction was made in line with the Meteorology
\nand Geophysics Agency's (BMG) forecast that flooding would be
\nmuch greater.<\/p>\n
BMG warned Jakartans recently of the possibility of massive
\nflooding due to the impact of the La Nina weather phenomenon.<\/p>\n
Sri Diharto, BMG's head, said the flooding would be caused by
\nheavy rainfall in Jakarta and spillover from intense rainfall in
\nhigher areas like Puncak and Bogor.<\/p>\n
\"Based on BMG's prediction, the level of flooding could be
\nhigher than that in 1996,\" the social service agency official
\nsaid. \"That's why the estimated number of victims this year has
\njumped substantially.\"<\/p>\n
He explained that funds needed to help flood victims would
\nreach Rp 37.2 billion this year, a huge increase from Rp 4.94
\nbillion in 1996.<\/p>\n
\"The rising projection is caused by the skyrocketing prices
\nsince 1996,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Agency data also shows limited availability of equipment. It
\nis still in need of 32 rubber dinghies and utensils for the
\nestablishment of public kitchens.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Governor Sutiyoso said at a flood prevention parade
\nat the National Monument compound yesterday that he was satisfied
\nwith preparations conducted to anticipate flood dangers in the
\ncity.<\/p>\n
\"I'm quite satisfied with the preparation. The personnel has
\nbeen prepared for the worst so I hope they are ready whenever the
\nflood hits the city,\" he said.<\/p>\n
About 4,000 personnel from Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian
\nRed Cross, City Health Agency, City Fire Agency, City Public
\nOrder Office and security officers from the Jakarta Police and
\nCity Military Command joined yesterday's parade.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Public Works Agency Soeharto said his agency
\nhad decided to form lookout groups to anticipate the floods and
\nthey would soon be ordered to be on the alert round-the-clock.<\/p>\n
He said flooding was an annual phenomenon in the city as 40
\npercent of the city's area was lowland and 76 percent of the
\ncity's rivers were narrow. Thirteen rivers flow across the city.
\n(ind)<\/p>",
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