Aid earmarked for dam repairs

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The Ministry of Public Works has earmarked Rp 2 billion ($952,000) for the repair of 16 dams in Eastern Lombok Regency which were in damaged by mud floods.

The dams in the Aikmel district are located along the Tanggek River. The flood, which occurred on Nov. 3, claimed 35 lives.

Bremi and Kukusan Dams, the two largest, were capable of irrigating 64 hectares of rice fields, according to the local Public Works Office, the Antara news agency reported.

The money allocated will be used to repair the dams and also a bridge.

The mud originated from volcanic materials of Mt. Barujari which erupted last June. (emb)