Jambi Flood Losses Reaches IDR 896.44 Billion, Acting Regent Expects Batang Merao River To Be Normalized

Illustration. Floods inundated residential areas in Jambi City at the end of November 2022. (ANTARA-Nanang Mairiadi)

JAMBI - Kerinci Regency Government (Pemkab) recorded that the total loss due to flooding that hit its area reached Rp896.44 billion.

"Based on calculations from related agencies, total losses were obtained due to damage to infrastructure, agricultural land and increased public health vulnerability in areas affected by natural disasters and landslides in Kerinci Regency reaching Rp896,441,382,504," said Acting (Pj) Kerinci Regent, Asraf, in Jambi, Tuesday, May 7, confiscated by Antara.

This was conveyed to the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) "Handling Batang Merao River Floods Post-banjir January 2024" which took place in Jambi which was attended by Jambi Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor) Abdullah Sani.

Asraf said that the steps that must be taken for the Batang Merao River include normalizing from upstream to downstream, construction of sheet piles/bronions on river cliffs prone to landslides and also normalizing Lake Kerinci.

Meanwhile, Jambi Deputy Governor Abdullah Sani hopes that in the FGD, the parties can discuss finding permanent solutions related to flood management in Sungai Penuh City and Kerinci Regency.

"All parties must realize that this flood problem cannot be resolved sectorally, but requires synergy and multi-sector collaboration. I hope that input from the regional government and related regional apparatus, vertical agencies and experts as solutions/alternative in the future in managing the ecosystem and reducing the impact of disasters in the Sungai Penuh City area and Kerinci Regency," he said.

The Deputy Governor also stated that there will be many challenges that need to be resolved together, both related to reducing potential flood hazards and regulations related to the handling of watersheds between different administrative areas.

"I hope that through this activity in the future we can develop integrated programs, both from upstream, middle to downstream, prepare solutions and alternatives to mitigate and deal with flooding in disaster-prone areas as well as all areas of Jambi Province," he said.