Sutiyoso initiates flood prevention campaign

JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed Governor Sutiyoso has urged the city's five mayors to start flood prevention initiatives in their respective areas prior to the rainy season.

"I want every mayoralty to start cleaning up their area as part of the flood prevention program," Sutiyoso said on Wednesday.

The flood warning was part of his first official statement since being installed as Jakarta's governor on Monday.

According to Sutiyoso, the city's cleaning agency must be informed of the campaign so garbage can be dumped at the proper waste sites.

The city's rivers, dams, gutters and underground drains were still heavily packed with garbage, he said.

"If they are dirty, the flow of the water will stagnate in those places before inundating the area," Sutiyoso said.

Cleaning activities must start soon, particularly in flood- prone areas, he said.

"The rivers must be quarried to make them deeper and ensure water flows properly."

Flooding last year -- the worst to hit the capital since 1976 -- was recorded in all of the city's five mayoralties.

Flood waters even inundated some areas, including Jl. Thamrin, which had not been affected for many years.

According to official data, at least 22 people were killed in last year's floods and thousands were forced to flee their homes.

When asked to comment, North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito said yesterday that his office planned to carry out a series of activities, including maintaining a clean river program for the 13 rivers flowing in the area.

"We, for instance, will soon complete the construction of a concrete dam in Banjir Kanal II River and construct floodgates in each of the 13 rivers," Suprawito told The Jakarta Post.

Among the rivers passing through North Jakarta are Kali Angke, Kali Opak, Kali Ciliwung, Kali Banjir Kanal and Kali Cisadane.

"We're also preparing aid supplies, such as rubber boats, tents, and planning to reactivate the flood monitoring posts," he said.

Suprawito hopes that preparations will be completed before December, when heavy rain has been predicted for the city.

"I'll also contact the city's public works agency and ask them to quarry some of the shallow rivers," he said.

Some community health centers will also be prepared for flood victims.

"We don't want an outbreak of bad diseases but who knows? In this time of transition (between the dry season and upcoming rainy season), people are usually vulnerable to diseases, such as diarrhea or colds," Suprawito said.

South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said that he would be urging local residents to cleanup their neighborhood in an attempt to avoid flooding this year.

"We will also organize students and officials to strongly support the cleanup campaign," Pardjoko said.

"I hope students, who will be on holiday next week, won't only watch the SEA Games but also fill their days cleaning up their local environment."

He said his office would continue its greening program to create a larger green area for rain absorption.

"We have to finish all the plans, including building drainage systems, enlarging gutters and setting aside funds for buying water pumps, before the rain comes."

Both Suprawito and Pardjoko said water pumps are badly needed to drain water from areas hit by flooding.

"The old pumps do not work well anymore," Suprawito said. "Maybe they were broken after the big floods that hit Jakarta last year."

Both mayors urged Jakartans to prepare themselves instead of waiting for an official announcement.

"Don't waste time. Start now," Pardjoko said. (07)