Environmental problems likely as Chris sweeps Bali

Environmental problems likely as Chris sweeps Bali

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Cyclone Chris, which has whipped up waters off Bali and East
Nusa Tenggara, intensified yesterday to a speed of around 150
kilometers per hour in the eastern Indian Ocean, compared to 108
kilometers per hour the previous day.

Suarsa, an official from the Bali chapter of the Meteorology
and Geophysics Agency (BMG), said that the increase in wind
speeds had also affected the currents in waters south of Java.

Suarsa warned that waves off Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara had
reached a height of between one and three meters and that the sea
temperature had risen to 31 degrees Celcius. "The full impact on
the cyclone will be monitored today," he said.

BMG has been coordinating with related agencies including
provincial administrations, Bali's police precinct and
environmental agencies and non-government organizations.

Meanwhile, Cok Budiana, head of the Bali Beach Conservation
Project, said that the cyclone would certainly create
environmental problems for the island's waters. "Some beaches in
Bali including Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua and Tanah Lot in Tabanan are
vulnerable to any natural changes, including the impact of a
cyclone," he said.

The cyclone could cause erosion and displace sea sands, which
could in turn increase the sea level and damage coral reefs,
Budiana explained.

Serious flooding in Jakarta has also had severe impacts in
northern Bali.

"The flooding and landslides in Buleleng regency were an
indirect impact from Jakarta," he said. The strong current in the
northern Javanese sea caused the sea water currents in northern
Bali to increase substantially, Buadiana said.

He added that around 27 kilometers of Bali's total coastline
of 430 kilometers had been badly damaged. "In anticipating
possible floods or erosion, our major focus is on closely
monitoring the 2.8 kilometer stretch of beach near the Ngurah Rai
International Airport," he said.

Denpasar, he said, was topographically similar to Jakarta.
"Certain measures have already been taken to protect the city
from flooding." The construction of cribs and artificial gulf
areas on Kuta beach, for instance, would be able to prevent
seawater from penetrating the city.

Oetom Hasibuan, technical director of Bali's Public Works
Agency, revealed the agency's contingency plans for possible
thunderstorms and floods.

"We have established a special flood control team which is
coordinating with relevant agencies and regional administrations
to immediately implement necessary contingency plans," he said.

The Public Works Agency has prepared thousands of sandbags,
heavy equipment and other equipment to be used in the event of a
disaster.

While Bali is still dependent on other islands, especially
Java, for the distribution of staple foods and other daily needs,
several measures have been taken in anticipation of food
shortages.

I Ketut Mendra, chief of Bali's Trade and Industry Office,
told The Jakarta Post that some distribution spots in Java
including Situbondo in East Java had been cut off due to severe
flooding. "We will find alternative means of transportation such
as sea transportation to ensure that food distribution is safe,"
he said.

Currently, Bali needs about 32,000 tons of rice a month, some
of which is procured from Java. "Other daily products such as
vegetable oil, butter, baby milk and soybean sauces will also be
prioritized," he said.

If necessary, Bali has secured food supplies for one to three
months, Mendra added.

In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, six ferries and ships operated
by state-owned PT ASDP stopped running due to high waves in
waters surrounding the province and West Nusa Tenggara, while
local people were put on alert about possible torrential rains
and strong winds that could cause flash flooding on hundreds of
islands in the province.

Torrential rain, flash flooding and landslides on Tuesday
caused havoc along Australia's east coast, which was blackened
just a month ago by hundreds of bushfires.

Two hospitals were evacuated and commuters faced major road
closures for a second day as parts of freeways disappeared under
water and water flooded the foyers of Sydney office blocks.

In Western Australia, remote coastal communities were put on
alert as the cyclone, packing destructive winds and heavy rain,
bore down on them.

Cyclone Chris was about 195 kilometers (120 miles) west of the
tourist resort town of Broome early Tuesday, moving southwest at
8 kilometers per hour (5 mph), the bureau of meteorology said.