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Black clouds began to fill the sky, a sign of coming rain, making people living on the banks of the Citarum River in Dayeuhkolot subdistrict, Bandung, anxious once again.

Staying in temporary shelters, they are concerned because a massive flood from the river two weeks ago has not yet entirely receded from their homes. Another downpour would wipe out their hope of being able to leave their temporary shelters and return to their homes.

According to data collected by local authorities, about 2,148 houses in three rural villages and one urban administrative unit were submerged after rain had been pouring in the area since Feb. 5.

There are 17,410 residents of the flooded area. As many as 800 had to evacuate to relatives’ homes or other neighboring flood-free houses. The deluge also submerged five mosques, five primary schools and four other public facilities.

Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono visited the location and witnessed firsthand the flood victims’ conditions.

Laksono said the government planned immediately to accelerate the Citarum River normalization project, which consists of dredging, straightening of the river’s course, and relocating the riverbank population to flood-free areas.

The project began about 10 years ago.

“At this moment there are about 1,400 hectares of land along the Citarum River that are always flooded when the river overflows, and it routinely occurs every year, but the area is shrinking, because 10 years ago it was 7,500 hectares,” Laksono said.

As part of the effort to accelerate the project, the central government through the Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare, Ministry of Public Works, and Ministry of Environment is to hold a meeting with the West Java provincial government this month. Laksono said he hoped the meeting would find the best solution for the acceleration of the normalization of the Citarum River.



Antara