PUPR Minister Requests 241 Dams To Be Emptyed In Anticipation Of La Nina

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

MAKASSAR - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadimuljono instructed all 241 dams in Indonesia to be emptied immediately to anticipate the impact of La Nina storm to accommodate water discharge at the peak of the rainy season.

"There are 231 existing dams, plus nine new ones. So a total of 241 large dams we will empty at the lowest point," Basuki said during a visit to prepare for the inauguration of the Karalloe Dam, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi, quoted by Antara, Monday, 22 November.

The emptying of these dams, said Basuki, includes nine new dams which President Joko Widodo inaugurated throughout 2021.

The purpose of emptying the water discharge at the hundreds of dams, continued Basuki, is to anticipate the impact of La Nina which is considered an extreme wet storm, which is predicted to occur at the end of 2021 and early 2022, so that all dams are emptied to accommodate rainwater discharge and control flooding.

"So that at the time of maximum rain it can still be accommodated and control flooding there," he said.

Likewise with others, such as "walk through" or existing earth embankments. For example, if there is a crack and it is thin, fix it immediately. The rest, will be on standby to provide assistance.

As for the Karalloe Dam, which will be inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on Tuesday, November 23, Basuki stated that the inauguration process will immediately be emptying. The evacuation is expected to reduce the impact of flooding in Jeneponto Regency by up to 49 percent.

"We will vacate it including tomorrow in the context of the inauguration of the president until the low water level reaches a total of 29 million cubic meters, this has been able to reduce flooding by 49 percent of floods in Jeneponto," he added.