To Prevent More Flash Floods In Batu City, Minister Basuki Asks For Widening River Channels
JAKARTA - The PUPR Ministry has deployed 11 excavators and 13 dump trucks to handle flash floods in Batu Malang, East Java. The Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono has also given instructions for handling floods.
"I have been monitoring since from overseas visits, that the PUPR Ministry team has deployed 11 excavators and 13 dump trucks to clean up the flash flood area. Thank God it is now clean," said Minister Basuki, quoted from the official website of the PUPR Ministry which was seen by the editorial staff on Saturday, November 13. .
The flash flood that occurred on Thursday last week with high rainfall -- said Basuki -- was caused by the water catchment area in the upper reaches of the Brantas River which had decreased a lot. As a result, there is a blockage of wood waste material in the tributary flow.
As a precautionary measure and to avoid the recurrence of flash floods, Minister Basuki instructed to clean and widen the river channel from the point of occurrence at Kali Kricik, around Alas Bengking to the confluence/estuary of the Brantas River for 4 km, and to build check dams in the upstream area.
"The handling must start now, because we are facing the La Nina phenomenon which is predicted to peak rain until January-February 2022. I asked to be checked using a drone, if there are blockages the flow is cleared. I appointed BUMN Karya which is working in the area around here to help with the handling. ," said Minister Basuki.
Furthermore, Minister Basuki also stated that he would relocate the houses that were lost/washed away and at high risk of danger located on the river border to a special house to be built by the Ministry of PUPR on village land provided by the Batu City Government (Pemkot).
Minister Basuki also stated that he would cooperate with the Batu City Government to repair utilities (drinking water pipes) and replace bridges damaged by flash floods with wider spans.