Storm warnings: Jakarta and Bangkok

Capital at risk of flooding
Straits Times 17 Oct 09;

JAKARTA: Residents in the Indonesian capital have been warned to expect flooding during the rainy season, which starts next month.

Nearly 100 areas across the capital have been identified to be at risk, and the city's crisis centre is working on an early warning system to detect floods.

According to a Jakarta Globe report, heavy downpours are expected ahead of the rainy season, which usually starts next month or in December.

The paper quoted an official from the crisis centre at the city's Disaster Management Coordination Unit as saying that the city administration has prepared early warning communication systems to detect floods across the capital.

This involves comparing weather and rainfall predictions against data on water levels at the city's sluice gates, which will help the crisis centre determine when and where increased water flow could lead to rivers overflowing.

'If the information shows an alert situation, then we will forward it to all five mayors in the city,' Mr Iskandarsyah was quoted as saying.

He added that the warnings would give residents enough time to pack up and move to higher ground if needed.

Meanwhile, the authorities have prepared emergency support and equipment - including rubber boats, tents, soup kitchens and emergency vehicles.

Jakarta Globe also quoted Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo as saying that the city would change its disaster management plan by making use of specially designed parks as evacuation points for victims of flooding or other disasters.

'The preparations are conducted with a more coordinated and intensive system,' he said.

More floods expected
Straits Times 17 Oct 09;

BANGKOK: More floods are expected at the weekend as the Thai capital continues to be hit by a combination of heavy rain and high tides.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has warned residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, to brace themselves for more floods between tomorrow and Tuesday, reported the Bangkok Post.

About 70 per cent of the capital is expected to be inundated by heavy rain over the next few days.

The paper also reported that the authorities have earmarked 800 million baht (S$33 million) to improve drainage along flood-prone Srinakarin Road, where workers have been working to pump out the water since Tuesday.

District chief Somchai Chatsakulpen of the Prawet district in eastern Bangkok was also quoted as saying that a river had overflowed into local communities, making roads to the area impassable.