Mobile water pumps donated for floods

JAKARTA: To help the city administration cope with annual flooding, the Japan government donated on Monday several mobile water pump vehicles, which will be used in flood-prone areas.

The vehicles are equipped with "highly efficient and easy operating pumps" that can be used to alleviate the damage in flooded areas of Jakarta. The mobile pumps can be used in the interim while the city works on establishing a comprehensive flood control system, the Japanese Embassy said in a press release.

The total value of the grant is Rp 25.9 billion (US$2.82 million).

The embassy also expressed hope that the pumps could contribute to socio-economic stability and allow economic activities to go on relatively unhindered during floods. -- JP