Watch The Flood Potential, Manado City Government Cares For Monitoring Posts At The Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam

The Kawangkoan Kuwil Dam in Minahasa Regency was inaugurated by President Jokowi on Thursday (19/1/2023). (ANTARA)

In order to anticipate the occurrence of repeated flood events by the City Government (Pemkot) of Manado, North Sulawesi, providing flood monitoring posts at the Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam.

"We synergize the post with the dam here so that the Dam Implementation Unit (UPB) knows the water level is certain at the monitoring post," said Manado Mayor Andrei Angouw as quoted by ANTARA Monday, January 30.

Andrei added that his party has also provided a number of surveillance cameras (CCTV) which can later be used to provide information to each other between local governments and dam managers.

He said UPB was formed by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) to operate dams in Manado City.

Head of Sub-Directorate Region III of the Directorate of Operations and Maintenance of the Ministry of PUPR, Mohamad Kontra Nizam Lembah, said that his party would routinely carry out maintenance of the dam.

"According to the direction of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, all Indonesias with dams must have one UPB in coordination with the regional authorities," said Nizam.

Nizam said, UPB consists of 10 to 15 people who are responsible for monitoring the dam regularly which was previously carried out by the city hall.

"So it's not only UPB, but there is also an Irrigation Implementation Unit (UPI), the Flood Control Implementation Unit (UP3B), but currently the focus is on UPB and UPI," he said.

Previously, in the early hours of Friday, January 27, moderate to heavy rain flushed the City of Manado, North Minahasa Regency, Minahasa Regency and Tomohon City.

As a result, a number of rivers that empties in Manado City overflowed and caused floods and landslides in several sub-districts.

Five people died as a result of floods and landslides in Manado, North Sulawesi, Friday (27/1).

Andrei Angouw assessed that the cause of the flood was suspected to be due to the overflow of the Balail and Mahawu rivers which were not able to accommodate the rainwater discharge.