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)