Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is building two dams in Bogor District, West Java, to reduce flood risks in Bekasi and Karawang, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said on Sunday.

"These two dams are aimed at controlling floods in the downstream areas of the Citarum River, such as in Muara Gembong, Bekasi, and Karawang,” he said.

He added that the construction of the two dams, Cibeet and Cijurey, will be followed by building embankments in the downstream areas.

The Cibeet Dam, with an effective capacity of 22.53 million cubic meters, is estimated to cost Rp5.5 trillion (around US$350.2 million) to build.

Meanwhile, the Cijurey Dam, with an effective capacity of 9.76 million cubic meters, will cost an estimated Rp3.7 trillion (around US$235.6 million).

Six consortiums are building the two dams in three stages of construction.

The ministry projects the two dams will reduce flooding in the downstream areas by 66 percent, irrigate thousands of hectares of land, and produce hydroelectric power.

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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
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