"One of the factors causing floods so far are the dykes that are not strong. Therefore, this year, the public works office will focus on constructing dikes in riverbanks," the Jakarta governor known as Jokowi, stated here on Friday when inspecting a dike in Ciliwung River.
A new dike is being built in the western side of Ciliwung River to curb floods and robs.
On the occasion, Jokowi planted four trees along Ciliwung River. "This is a symbol that a riverbank must be green and sterile from houses," he pointed out.
The current floods triggered by incessant heavy rains over the past two weeks, have damaged many roads in Jakarta, including a total of 3,857 m2 in Central Jakarta, 80,857 m2 in North Jakarta, 14,625 m2 in West Jakarta, 16,585 m2 in South Jakarta, and 24,760 m2 in East Jakarta.
Following floods that hit the capital city since the past two weeks, the number of refugees has shown a steep rise from 30,784 people recorded on January 19, to 89,334 people on January 22, 2014. The death toll has risen from seven to 12.
The floods that commenced on January 14, have affected 34 subdistricts, 100 urban villages, 444 neighborhoods, 672 families, and a total of 134,662 residents in the capital city, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) stated on January 21.
The Jakarta government plans to relocate around 34 thousand families living along the bank of Ciliwung River to a modest apartment complex in South Cipinang Besar (Cipesel) to allow the river to function optimally.
"The relocation of inhabitants living along the bank of Ciliwung River, such as in the Kampung Pulo and Kalibata areas, will begin this year," Jakarta Governor Jokowi remarked.
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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