The flood that hit Sintang regency in West Kalimantan province was caused by damage in catchment area, which overflowed Kapuas river, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
The President made his statement after inaugurating Serang-Rangkasbitung segment of Serang-Panimbang Toll Road Section 1 at Rangkasbitung Toll Gate in Lebak regency, Banten province, Tuesday (16/11).
“Yes, it is due to damage in catchment area that has occurred for decades and we must stop it as indeed, it is the main problem, so Kapuas overflowed because the catchment area is damaged. That is what we intend to fix,” he said.
The President stated that to fix the catchment area, the Government will build nurseries and replant trees both in the upstream area and in the catchment area.
“The catchment area must be fixed as the damage is there. Second, the rain is more extreme than usual,” he added.
Since the flood first hit Sintang regency, the President has ordered Minister of Public Works and Public Housing and Minister of Environment and Forestry to study the causes and prepare the steps needed to overcome floods in the regency.
According to Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, his ministry will immediately follow up the President’s order.
“Concerning land rehabilitation as the President has said, moving forward we truly need to formulate spatial plans and enforce the law strictly for various possibilities of spatial violations, including open spaces for water,” he said on a separate occasion.
Meanwhile, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar pointed out that factors that caused the flood in Singang include heavy rainfall from late October to November 2021 with accumulated precipitation of 294 millimeters that caused a flood discharge of 15,877.12 cubic meters per second and resulted in a flood with a huge discharge of 3,597.3 cubic meters per second.
“Moving forward, we must plan residential patterns that are more environmentally sound and utilize local wisdom that is safe from floods, such as stilt houses,” she remarked. (TGH/BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/MMB)
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