Flooding forecast for 128 subdistricts
JAKARTA (JP): This rainy season's floods will likely affect an area twice the size of that in 1996, the worst year in recorded history, an official said Wednesday.
Tabril Dachlan of the city's social welfare agency predicted 128 subdistricts would be hit, compared to 70 subdistricts inundated during 1996.
Tabril, the agency's section head of relief for displaced persons and victims of natural disasters, warned the forecast massive floods would also likely increase the number of casualties and homeless.
"The number of people hit by this year's floods will also double from the 1996 figures to about two million," he told The Jakarta Post.
The rainy season usually spans from September to March.
Agency data reveals the 1996 flood affected more than 970,000 residents and claimed the lives of 30. It destroyed 529 homes and caused severe damage an additional 398.
Tabril identified 35 flood prone districts across the city which would bear the brunt of the annual problem.
They are Sawah Besar, Tanah Abang, Cempaka Putih, Kemayoran, Menteng, Senen, Johor Baru and Gambir in Central Jakarta; Kelapa Gading, Cilincing, Pademangan and Penjaringan in North Jakarta; Palmerah, Kembangan, Kebon Jeruk, Grogol, Petamburan, Taman Sari and Cengkareng in West Jakarta; Tebet, Kebayoran Lama, Pesanggrahan, Cilandak, Pasar Minggu, Mampang Prapatan, Setiabudi, Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta; and Ciracas, Makasar, Kramat Jati, Cakung, Pulogadung and Jatinegara in East Jakarta.
Tabril said people should be on the alert, such as by packing up essentials, and "they should start collecting their important documents and belongings starting from now".
He said preparation would allow people to flee quickly because floods struck without warning.
Widespread reports predict this year's rainy season, compounded by the La Nia weather phenomenon, will hit hard areas across the country, including Jakarta.
Heavy rains have battered the city since the first week of the year. Light flooding has been reported but it has not resulted in serious problems.
In 1996, widespread floods paralyzed the city as they swamped electrical power stations, disabling traffic lights and other services.
Huge traffic jams snaked through major throughfares several meters under water.
The authorities have set up a special joint team to help residents to prepare before flooding hits, provide assistance during floods and after they have subsided, Tabril said.
"The team includes personnel from the Armed Forces, the city's public order office, the city's public works agency, fire department, health department, the Indonesian Red Cross and the Ministry of Social Services."
Team members' duties will include informing residents of evacuation times, setting up makeshift tent shelters and organizing public kitchens.
"The team members must also be able to locate lost residents, rescue them and bring them to the nearest health community centers," Tabril explained.
He said the team prepared 104 rubber life rafts, 87 ambulances, 68 public kitchens, 53 tents, 28 operational vehicles and 14 generators.
"Still, we are short of about 30 dinghies because we actually need at least two for each subdistrict."
The team will seek to supplement its list with an additional 170 tents, 40 vehicles and 54 generators.
He added the city authorities hoped for donations of essential items such as rice, vegetables, adult clothing and school uniforms, stationery, sleeping bags, medicine, funds for burials and drinking water.
"I don't know how we're going to manage all these things during this time of hardship as it will cost Rp 30.6 billion," Tabril said.
"We have no idea whether the government will be able to afford that much this time."
He said nearly Rp 1.4 billion had already been earmarked for items including 150,000 kilograms of rice, 20,000 packets of instant noodles, 7,500 kilograms of salted fish, 15,000 kilograms of eggs and 1,000 boxes of ketchup.
"Let us all pray that the stocks are enough for the flood victims." (ylt)