The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing is making efforts to expedite the repair of infrastructure damaged by flash floods that hit Batu City in East Java on November 4, 2021.
Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated in Batu City on Thursday that flooding had caused damage to infrastructure, such as bridges and tap water pipelines, in Batu.
"Several bridges will be repaired, and we will expand a small bridge," Hadimuljono added.
The minister noted that the government will also work on expanding the width of the culverts to ease the flow of water heading to Brantas River.
He remarked that infrastructure repair will be conducted on the water pipelines owned by the regional tap water company (PDAM) that was damaged by flash floods.
Menteri Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono (ketiga kanan), pada saat melakukan peninjauan langsung penanganan banjir bandang di Dusun Sambong, Desa Bulukerto, Kecamatan Bumiaji, Kota Batu, Kamis (11/11/2021). (ANTARA/Vicki Febrianto)
"In collaboration with PDAM, the tap water pipes will also be repaired and restored. I will prepare the pipes and send them to PDAM to be fixed immediately," he explained.
In addition to infrastructure repair, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing has deployed heavy equipment to help clear up the material left over after the flash floods.
Hadimuljono attributed clogged waterways when water discharge increased following heavy rains as the main cause for the flash floods that had claimed seven lives in Batu as well as the floods that struck other areas.
"The water discharge got higher until it broke, thereby causing a flash flood. Everywhere flash floods occurred, with the reason being the same, as in North Sumatra and so on," he expounded.
Flash floods in the Batu city area on November 4, 2021, that claimed seven lives resulted in damage to 51 houses and 57 vehicles as well as led to 32 houses being swamped by mud. (*)
