Puncak not only cause of massive floods
Puncak not only cause of massive floods
BOGOR, West Java (JP): The massive floods that often sweep
through Jakarta are not caused solely by the extensive building
of villas in the nearby vacation resort of Puncak, according to a
Bogor administration official.
"There are other factors that trigger floods: excessive
rainfall, poorly constructed drainage systems, the unabated
narrowing process of rivers, lakes or natural ponds that are no
longer able to accommodate rainwater during heavy downpours, and
Jakarta's destroyed ecological system," Denny M. Moechri, the
spokesman for the administration, said yesterday.
"So, obviously the allegations that the floods which hit
Jakarta during the rainy season are caused solely by the ever
increasing number of villas built in Puncak, an area earmarked as
a major water catchment, are groundless," he added.
But Denny readily acknowledged that during heavy downpours,
Bogor often "sent" floodwaters to Jakarta despite the fact that
it was not raining in the capital.
He claimed that the prime cause of floods in Jakarta was the
narrowing of rivers and lakes.
"Formerly there were around 120 wide lakes, but now only half
that number exists. Worse still, these remaining lakes continue
to get smaller and smaller," Denny said.
He said the local administration was striving to return the
lakes to their original function to contain excess rainwater.
"However, financial constraints impede our efforts. This would
be a herculean project requiring a whopping budget," Denny said.
He added that without financial aid from private companies or
wealthy individuals, the administration would find it extremely
difficult to realize the project.
The demolition of houses and villas built without permits in
Puncak is still going on to prevent further damage of the water
catchment area.
Last month alone the Bogor regency pulled down nine villas
built without permits.
The nine villas were estimated to be worth Rp 5 billion
(US$2.1 million).
The demolition brought to 40 the total number of Puncak villas
bulldozed in the last five months.
Since last month the regency administration has been clamping
down on illegal buildings in Puncak, many of which are owned by
wealthy and politically well-connected people living in Jakarta.
Failure to control the growth of building in this tourist
resort has been widely blamed for the massive and destructive
floods which swept through Jakarta last February.
Meanwhile, a Jakarta administration official disclosed
yesterday that an estimated fund of around Rp 4 trillion (US$1.7
billion) was needed to rid the capital of one of its annual
menaces -- floods.
"The money will be used to construct a gigantic canal, to
appropriate land for public spaces and buy sophisticated
equipment, including flood-monitoring devices," said Budihardjo
S, chief of the city's Development Planning Board (Bappeda).
Budihardjo said even more funds might be needed because the
approach to handling floods in Jakarta is multifaceted, involving
scientific and technological techniques as well as sociological
and topographical methodology.
He called on the private sector to invest in this huge,
public-oriented project by providing funds to help alleviate the
financial burden of the board, Antara reported. (21/bas)