Sutiyoso initiates flood prevention campaign
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)