Tangerang still on alert for floods

TANGERANG: Tangerang Mayor Moch. Thamrin revealed on Tuesday that he would not withdraw the flood alert status in the city, west of Jakarta, anytime soon, fearing the possibility of returning floods.

"I haven't withdrawn the alert status in the city because in some areas the water has not yet receded. Besides, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) forecast says there could still be heavy rains for another month or so," he said.

Thamrin said he has ordered the municipality officials to stay alert 24 hours-a-day to anticipate returning floods. He also ordered them to monitor the Pasar Baru sluice gates which control the Cisadane river.

The Great Flood of 2002, which began in late January severely affected Tangerang as well as Jakarta. Water in some housing complexes including Total Persada in Gembor subdistrict, Pondok Bahar in Karang Tengah subdistrict and Ciledug Indah in Ciledug subdistrict, are still knee-deep in water and flotsam.

Three weeks of flooding has cost Tangerang at least Rp 68 billion (US$6.7 million) due to damage to roads, bridges and school buildings alone.

Thamrin also urged his subdistrict and district chiefs to be on-call 24 hours-a-day until the status is withdrawn. -- Antara