Jokowi commenced the operations from Mall Season`s City in North Jakarta, involving army personnel, garbage service workers and community members.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta conducted clean up operations along the Ciliwung River that passes through the capital city in cooperation with the military on Thursday in anticipation of possible floods during the ongoing rainy season.
Jakarta Governor Jokowi commenced the operations from Mall Seasons City in North Jakarta, involving army personnel, garbage service workers and community members.
"It is hoped that this activity will increase public awareness about and the love for cleanliness," he said.
The governor also hoped that after the river was cleaned, residents would stop dumping garbage into the river so that it remained clean and no flooding took place.
Meanwhile, Major General Meris Wiryadi, the Army Chief of Staffs territorial assistant said on the occasion that he had deployed 4,500 personnel for the operation.
"This is an anticipatory effort to deal with the threat of floods in the capital city and is also part of an educational effort aimed at improving peoples habit of dumping garbage at will," he stated.
In all, 7,500 personnel are involved in the operation, in addition to 50 dump trucks, four excavators and other equipment.
The head of Jakartas regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD), Bambang Musyawardan, had noted on a separate occasion that residents should remain alert as rainfall was expected in the city during the next few days.
Rainfall on Wednesday had flooded 34 locations in the city.
"The BPBD is coordinating with the garbage service task forces and village administrations to clean up waterways and the drainage system," he added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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