People blamed for Makassar flood<\/p>\n
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: An official denied on Sunday reports
\nthat claimed a burst dam was the cause of a flood here earlier
\nthis month.<\/p>\n
Suprapto Budi, head of the Bili-bili dam management, said
\nheavy rains and continuing deforestation downstream from
\nJeneberang River were the causes of the flood, the worst the area
\nhas seen. Five people died and hundreds were left stranded.<\/p>\n
\"People should not worry about the dam, moreover accuse it of
\ncausing the flood,\" Suprapto said. \"There were heavy rains and
\nmany canals were clogged.\"<\/p>\n
The head of the local Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Edi
\nWaluyo, said earlier that the river burst its banks after a heavy
\ndownpour on Feb. 4. Rainfall reached 391 millimeters this year,
\nwell above last year's 220 millimeters, according to Edi.<\/p>\n
Tidal waters, which rose 40 centimeters, made things worse, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Suprapto said erosion resulting from forest slashing
\nactivities near the river would reduce the dam's life span by 15
\nyears from an expected 50 years.<\/p>\n
He said the Japanese government had disbursed Rp 600 billion
\nin aid to help the provincial administration regreen the area
\ndownstream of the river. (27)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/people-blamed-for-makassar-flood-1447893297",
"image": ""
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