Floodwaters rise again in Tangerang

Floodwaters rise again in Tangerang

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

Floods again hit Tangerang on Wednesday following heavy rains
that drenched the city over the past two days.

Part of the Jakarta-Tangerang toll road was also inundated
with water levels reaching 30 centimeters near the Meruya toll
gate, causing heavy traffic congestion in both directions.

In Cileduk Indah, Jatiuwung and Total Persada housing estates,
the water level increased sharply from between 10 centimeters and
30 centimeters to about 150 centimeters.

During the peak of the flood earlier this month, the water
level reached up to three meters.

On Wednesday, the housing complex of the home ministry
employees in Karang Mulya subdistrict of Karang Tengah, which had
so far escaped the disaster, was also inundated. The water level
was between 50 centimeters and one meter.

"This flood is caused by the overflow of Kali Angke river last
night. Residents in this complex have been prepared to take
refuge in anticipation of further flooding," said Subagio, a
resident.

According to Harno, chief of the municipal administration
radio and telecommunication control, the water levels in Cisadane
river and Kali Sabi river had increased by 50 centimeters.

The recent floods that hit many parts of Tangerang had damaged
3,716 hectares of rice fields, the regency agricultural agency
chief Yodi Rosidi said.

"The material losses suffered by farmers reached Rp 1.5
billion," he said.

He said the rice fields, which had just entered the planting
season, were located in the northern coastal areas of Tangerang
such as Mauk, Pakuhaji and Teluk Naga districts.

He said in order to help ease the farmers' burden, the agency
would propose to Tangerang Mayor M. Thamrin to deliver assistance
in the form of seeds in order to prevent food shortages that
might result from the floods.