Minister warns against possible major flooding

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Haryono Suyono has alerted Jakartans residing on the riversides of the Ciliwung River to take precautionary measures against the possibility of major floods, which he said were likely to hit the capital soon.

"Don't think that another flood will be just like the previous floods you have become accustomed to in this area," warned the minister in a ceremony in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Saturday to inspect the city authorities' preparations and the local residents readiness to fight flood.

According to Haryono, a massive flood that is likely to inundate parts of the capital due to the La Nina weather phenomenon has been predicted by the Meteorology and Geophysics Bureau (BMG) and the Ministry of Public Works.

"While we're waiting (for the arrival of the flood), you can now start collecting your important documents and packing up valuable belongings. So when the flood suddenly comes, you will have no problems to hastily choose and pick up your goods," Haryono told the residents of Gang Arus in Cawang.

The minister's warning was also a warning to other Jakartans, especially those living in flood-prone areas. Data from the city administration reveals that there are at least 215 subdistricts in Greater Jakarta that are considered prone to flood. These subdistricts are home to hundreds of thousands of people.

Most of the affected areas are located near the Ciliwung River, which originates in Bogor, a city in the south of the capital that has a tremendous amount of rainfall, and passes through the capital.

The BMG gave out warnings to Jakartans in July after rainfall had exceeded the normal level of under 100 millimeters per hour due to the La Nina weather phenomenon, which has the opposite effect to El Nino.

Flooding is predicted to affect about two million people, 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.

As part of its preparations, the administration has reportedly started to divert waterways in the city. There are 13 rivers crossing the city.

Saturday's event in the Gang Arus area was attended by Minister of Social Services Justika Baharsyah, Minister of Public Works Rachmadi Bambang Sumadhijo and Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.

Hundreds of local residents were also invited to see the flood rescue drill performed by personnel from the city's flood rescue team together with some locals.

According to Haryono, public initiative in making flood preparations would play a major role in coping with any flooding as the city administration and the central government are facing a serious shortage of facilities and rescue gear.

Minister Rachmadi said his ministry had set up special teams nationwide to monitor weather changes, predict the arrival of floods and provide the latest information to the public and related parties.

The teams were set up in 13 provinces, including Jakarta, all of which are considered to have flood-prone areas, Rachmadi said.

In his speech, host East Jakarta Mayor Soedarsono said his 2.2 million population mayoralty, the city's largest mayoralty population-wise, was ready to face serious floods.

"We, for example, have round-the-clock monitoring at the Depok water control, which will send warnings anytime to our staff official if the water reaches the (alarming level of) 300 centimeters.

"We'll then immediately make emergency calls to people in flood-prone areas by using sirens," Soedarsono said.

The flood rescue drill on Saturday apparently raised questions among members of Soedarsono's flood rescue team as they learned that the exercise could not be easily implemented in a real-life situation due to a lack of standard rescue devices.

Suratman, one team member, said the mayoralty's 20 rubber dinghies to cover at least 13 flood-prone areas were totally inadequate.

Standard procedure, he said, requires at least three dinghies per area.

"I think it would be better for the administration to focus on the preparation of food and medicine rather than ask people to take part in this drill," Suratman said. (emf)