Tangerang still on alert for floods

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"I haven't withdrawn the alert status in the city because in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on-call 24 hours-a-day until the status is withdrawn.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