Rp 52.6b for flood control

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has set aside Rp 52.6 billion (US$5.84 million) this year to cope with floods, an official said on Thursday.

The head of the Public Works Agency, Fadly Katib, said most of the funds would cover maintenance and construction projects in some 80 flood-prone areas.

Fadly said the program would include the purchasing and maintaining of new pumps, floodgates and electric generators, and also cleaning up canals and waterways.

"However, the plan won't guarantee that Jakarta will be free of floods. But we'll try to reduce the inundation," said Fadly.

Last year, the city administration allocated Rp 85.9 billion for the program, which was mainly spent on foodstuffs for victims and ambulances.

He added that 40 percent of the capital's territory was below sea level, and he said it would require trillions of rupiah to curb floods. (07)