Massive flooding may affect 2m people
Massive flooding may affect 2m people
JAKARTA (JP): Massive flooding predicted to hit the city
during the upcoming rainy season will likely affect about two
million people but there remains a shortage of equipment to
assist them, data at the City Social Services Agency revealed
yesterday.
The estimate is more than double the number of victims in 1996
when Jakarta was hit by the most widespread flooding in its
history. The city's population is about 10 million.
An official of the agency who asked not to be named said
yesterday the prediction was made in line with the Meteorology
and Geophysics Agency's (BMG) forecast that flooding would be
much greater.
BMG warned Jakartans recently of the possibility of massive
flooding due to the impact of the La Nina weather phenomenon.
Sri Diharto, BMG's head, said the flooding would be caused by
heavy rainfall in Jakarta and spillover from intense rainfall in
higher areas like Puncak and Bogor.
"Based on BMG's prediction, the level of flooding could be
higher than that in 1996," the social service agency official
said. "That's why the estimated number of victims this year has
jumped substantially."
He explained that funds needed to help flood victims would
reach Rp 37.2 billion this year, a huge increase from Rp 4.94
billion in 1996.
"The rising projection is caused by the skyrocketing prices
since 1996," he said.
Agency data also shows limited availability of equipment. It
is still in need of 32 rubber dinghies and utensils for the
establishment of public kitchens.
Meanwhile, Governor Sutiyoso said at a flood prevention parade
at the National Monument compound yesterday that he was satisfied
with preparations conducted to anticipate flood dangers in the
city.
"I'm quite satisfied with the preparation. The personnel has
been prepared for the worst so I hope they are ready whenever the
flood hits the city," he said.
About 4,000 personnel from Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian
Red Cross, City Health Agency, City Fire Agency, City Public
Order Office and security officers from the Jakarta Police and
City Military Command joined yesterday's parade.
Head of the City Public Works Agency Soeharto said his agency
had decided to form lookout groups to anticipate the floods and
they would soon be ordered to be on the alert round-the-clock.
He said flooding was an annual phenomenon in the city as 40
percent of the city's area was lowland and 76 percent of the
city's rivers were narrow. Thirteen rivers flow across the city.
(ind)