Twelve dams in critical shape

JAKARTA: Twelve of the country's 60 largest dams are in desperate need of repair, Director General for Irrigation Soeparmono said Thursday.

"The 12 dams are in critical condition because they are old or because of natural factors such as earthquakes. They need major repairs soon," Soeparmono said after opening a seminar for World Water Day.

He said the Jatiluhur dam in Purwakarta, West Java, was among those in disrepair.

He said the dams should be checked every two years, but this had not been done because of funding shortages. (swe)