500 km of flood dikes need repair

500 km of flood dikes need repair

SEMARANG, Central Java: A total of 500 kilometers of flood dikes throughout the province are in poor condition, triggering fear of a reoccurrence of the widespread flooding of 1993.

"Most flood dikes are in a deplorable condition due to the lack of maintenance funds," said Wisnu Suharto, section chief of the provincial public works office in charge of rivers and swamps.

He said dams in 128 rivers across the province have not been maintained since they went into operation due to the absence of an adequate maintenance budget from the provincial or regency governments.

The recent collapse of flood dikes in Brebes caused extensive flooding, which inundated hundreds of houses and disrupted traffic.

"Many more dikes can collapse anytime if heavy rains continue," he said. (har)