Fund scarcity curbs efforts for flood relief

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso admitted that a shortage of funds in the city budget has meant his administration is unable to combat flooding effectively.

"We have to admit that we haven't handled flooding problems optimally and integrally due to a scarcity of funds," the governor said on Friday in a written speech read by Deputy Governor for Social Welfare Affair Djailani.

He said the financial situation has made the administration unable to even provide basic equipment and facilities to residents living in flood-prone areas.

It has also meant that a plan to build a canal in the eastern part of Jakarta aimed at improving the flow of the heavy volume of water from Bogor towards the capital, particularly during the rainy season, has not been realized

The plan was introduced some 26 years ago by the city administration, the governor said in a speech to a special joint team assigned to handle flooding during the recently started rainy season.

Subject

Parts of East Jakarta are often subject to flooding during the rainy season, mainly due to the heavy flow of water from Bogor that runs through the Ciliwung river.

Sometimes heavy rain in the mountainous area of Bogor can flood houses in Jakarta, particularly those close to rivers, even if it is not raining locally.

After reading the speech, Djailani then inspected the flood handling team's preparations. The ceremony took place at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta.

This year, the city administration ordered a total of 1,065 officers from each mayoralty Public Order office and Flood Posts to join the team.

Apparatuses such as rubber boats and life jackets displayed by the team during the ceremony looked old and out-of-date. It was also unclear whether all of the equipment was in working order.

Alert

Head of the city health office Aslan Lasman said he had ordered 43 community health centers across the capital to be on 24 hour alert to handle all scenarios.

"We have also prepared medicines to anticipate diseases which might occur in flood-prone areas," Lasman said.

The city administration has noted at least 108 flooding black spots in the city, many of which are close to the Ciliwung river.

During the rainy season, several major streets including Jl. Yos Sudarso in North Jakarta and Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah in South Jakarta are often flooded.

People living close to Ciliwung river said earlier that they had made "necessary and routine preparations" for the rainy season.

The residents, mostly poor people, said that floods were part of their lives and that there was nothing for them to complain about.

"There is nothing to be worried about when the floods come as they have become routine for us," a resident said.

Many of the residents live in poorly constructed two-story houses. They usually put their electronic goods, documents and other valuables -- wrapped in plastic -- in rooms on the second floor. (jun)