Agencies ordered to ready for storms
Damar Harsanto and Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Tangerang
Governor Sutiyoso told all agencies in his administration to prepare for possible storms and floods following the violent storm that hit the capital on Jan. 30.
The storm uprooted nearly 200 trees, mostly in South Jakarta, and caused huge traffic jams along roads connecting the municipality to other areas.
"I have told all my subordinates to remain alert to anticipate the stormy weather ahead," Sutiyoso said at City Hall on Monday.
He admitted that the administration had yet to establish a crisis center to organize all agencies for any calamities.
Jakarta Public Order Agency head Soebagio said that his agency had distributed cellular phones to each of subdistrict heads so that they could be contacted in case of an emergency, particularly natural disasters.
"If they turn off their cell phones or can't be contacted when we need them to respond quickly during a calamity, then we will impose sanctions on them," he told The Jakarta Post.
In addition to cellular phones provided for 267 subdistrict heads in 23 districts citywide, the agency also distributed Rp 10 million (US$1,190) to each subdistrict as an emergency fund.
The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has predicted that the stormy weather is likely to occur due to a delay in the peak of the rainy season. BMG had previously forecast 26 consecutive days of rain for January.
The delay in the peak of the rainy season, BMG says, will cause the heaviest rains to fall in mid-February. The Jan. 30 storm was only the beginning of the rainy season's peak as indicated by tropical storm Linda in southern Indonesian waters.
Torrential rains destroyed 30 houses in three villages in Gandasari subdistrict, Jatiuwung district, Tangerang on Sunday. No fatalities or injuries were reported in the storm that also uprooted electricity poles and trees.
Gandasari subdistrict head Komeng said that his office was still collecting data on residents whose houses were destroyed by the storm.
"It (the storm) came suddenly at about 6 p.m., tearing off rooftops and uprooting trees and electricity poles. It lasted until 8 p.m.," said Ano, 24, a resident of Dumpit village.