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)