Monday, March 30, 2009

The Situ Gintung Tragedy

A mini Tsunami! “ that’s what some news media reported when a water dam broke down at Situ Gintung, an outskirt of Jakarta, last Friday, causing heavy flood to the surrounding area, flattened more than 300 houses and killed many people.

Kompas reported that until this morning, 98 people have died and 115 people missing. The National Search and Rescue Agency is intensifying search by conducting join operation with other government agency, the military and student organization.

The Jakarta Post reported that around 400 people have been evacuated to nearby hospitals. The Governor of Banten i.e.Ratu Atut, whose province covered the flooded area, was quoted as saying that the heads of each affected household would receive at least Rp 5 Million compensation.

This tragedy has seemingly made some politicians suddenly change their campaign agenda by including a visit to Situ Gintung. Inilah.com wrote that Vice President Jusuf Kalla was the first to visit the area on Friday morning, followed by President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono several hours later, as well as others later on.

I hope that the attention of the politicians would expedite the handling of this tragedy, therefore ease the suffering of victims.

4 comments:

Tikno said...

According to you, whether this tragedy can be prevented before (preventable)?

Harry Nizam H. said...

Tikno,
Yes. The dam was built during the Dutch colonial era, and since then nothing has changed in spite of the fact that the surroundings changed drastically, from open greenland to densely populated residential & commercial area.

Tikno said...

and I can make a conclusion now, that is "care"

Unknown said...

Tikno,
Yes, your are very right the answer is "care" especially by the government of Banten as well as Jakarta, i.e. rebuild & maintain the dam properly, and make sure that the surrounding area would not disturb the lake/situ.