Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo urged the people of Papua Province to remain optimistic that the 2020 National Games (PON) would be held as scheduled, despite the recent flash floods that affected certain parts of the Jayapura District area.

"The construction of sports halls will be completed in May, while the aquatic venue and sports complex will also see the light of day by the end of 2019," the incumbent president, commonly known as Jokowi, said here on Monday.

On the sidelines of his visit to Jayapura city, where he was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Jokowi addressed journalists. After having inspected the stadium, Jokowi confirmed that its construction process would be carried out as scheduled.
Jokowi and Irina also visited the Toware Sports Hall, which is currently accommodating around 500 people displaced by the recent flash floods.

The flash floods that recently submerged the Sentani area killed 104 people, destroyed 350 houses, three bridges, eight drainage systems and four sections of roads.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), 97 bodies were found in Jayapura District, while seven others were discovered in Jayapura City.

The catastrophe that occurred after heavy rain hit the Jayapura District area on March 16 also forced 8,773 people to evacuate to higher ground and they were sheltered in 18 different camps.

Related news: Jokowi visits Sentani flood victims at Toware Stadium

Related news: Jokowi visits Jayapura to oversee flood-control measures in Sentani

Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad N
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
Copyright © ANTARA 2019