Jayapura, 23/2 (Jubi) – Two people were killed and six people missing after landslides triggered by heavy rains hit Jayapura City, an official said.
Several people were injured and hospitalized, said the chief of the Social Welfare Department of Papua Province, Supaman Pasundan on Sunday (2/23).
In 2013, Jayapura city received Adipura, a government award to honor cities that implement good environmental programs.
Supaman Pasundan said the victims were a 50-year-old man and a woman.
“I helped one house, but many homes in the area are buried by landslides, ” said Supaman.
Hundreds of motorcycles and cars were stuck for about eight hours in the middle of the main road of Jalan Sam Ratulangi.Heavy storms pounded Jayapura city starting on Saturday night. About an hour later, the water overflowed from Anafri pond to Jalan Samratulangi, Jayapura. The flood water carried trash, and mud, blocking the city’s roads. Offices along Jalan Samratulangi, such as Papua Police Headquarters, Department of Transportation Papua, as well as dozens of homes in the complex APO were inundated.
One resident, Eric Mandenas, said the flooding was the worst to have occurred in Jayapura city.
“It was the second flood, yet this was the worst one because just right in the middle of the city” he said on Sunday morning ( 2/23)
He urged the government of Jayapura Municipality to pay more attention to the management of drainage around the city of Jayapura in order to minimize flooding during heavy rainfalls.
“The government should be observant and this was an important lesson for the future,” said a student of the Faculty of Engineering, Cenderawasih University.
LACK OF ATTENTION TO SPATIAL PLANNING AND DRAINAGE IN JAYAPURA CITY
Outdated spatial planning and drainage systems in Jayapura city and lack of public awareness are to blame for flooding, said a member of Commission II of the Papuan Legislative Council ( DPR Papua), Agustina Basik Basik.
Jayapura is overcrowded and the government must review the city planning, she said .
The construction of buildings such as malls etc have to go through feasibility studies, taking into account recommendations on waste, sewage and drainage management.
“The drainage system has not been built well by the constructors. What I see is drainage is not environmentally feasible,” said Agustina on Sunday morning (2/23).
The disaster served as a warning for the government to work seriously and manage the city to avoid similar calamities in the future.
Agustina is said, for the first time this situation occurred in Jayapura, moreover, precisely in the heart of the city. This is due to the human hand, so she hoped members of the community have to get self-conscious and keep the environment well.
“Residents should all be aware that this disaster as a result of human acts. So, we should protect the environment, not cut down trees illegally and not throw trash anywhere. It is our responsibility to make this city free from floods”, said Sofia. (Jubi / Indrayadi TH/ Tina )
