People blamed for Makassar flood

People blamed for Makassar flood

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: An official denied on Sunday reports
that claimed a burst dam was the cause of a flood here earlier
this month.

Suprapto Budi, head of the Bili-bili dam management, said
heavy rains and continuing deforestation downstream from
Jeneberang River were the causes of the flood, the worst the area
has seen. Five people died and hundreds were left stranded.

"People should not worry about the dam, moreover accuse it of
causing the flood," Suprapto said. "There were heavy rains and
many canals were clogged."

The head of the local Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Edi
Waluyo, said earlier that the river burst its banks after a heavy
downpour on Feb. 4. Rainfall reached 391 millimeters this year,
well above last year's 220 millimeters, according to Edi.

Tidal waters, which rose 40 centimeters, made things worse, he
said.

Suprapto said erosion resulting from forest slashing
activities near the river would reduce the dam's life span by 15
years from an expected 50 years.

He said the Japanese government had disbursed Rp 600 billion
in aid to help the provincial administration regreen the area
downstream of the river. (27)