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