Minister warns against possible major flooding

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)