Floods after drought

Floods after drought

Rains has eventually begun to fall in various regions in Java
including Jakarta. Regardless of whether the rain is man-made or
natural, we have every reason to be happy. But the rain which
fell on Simeulue island, West Aceh, last month apparently caused
major floods.

Experience tells us that floods usually begin to hit the
western part of the country, and then slowly move to the eastern
part. It is necessary for us to anticipate the future climatic
changes, because both droughts and floods may influence the
prices of commodities, particularly foodstuffs. Speculators
cannot be totally blamed because their business is part of a free
market system. What needs to be done is to exercise effective,
timely and hit-the-target control of food supplies.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta