Solo, Ekuatorial – To anticipate massive floods, Solo administration had planned to built retention basin and rubber dam in the banks of Bengawan Solo river, said its Mayor, FX Hadi Rudyatmo, in Solo, Central Java, on Monday (15/12).
“We will immediately develop embung (local term for retention basin) in Tirtonadi area and rubber dam in Pepe river. We are still coordinating with [Bengawan Solo River] agency, which is authorized to deal with Solo flooding mitigation plan,” said Rudyatmo adding that they were still conducting feasibility study for the development project.
Both development projects are meant to anticipate floods coming from Bengawan Solo river, especially during rainy season. To get the project run successfully, Mayor Rudyatmo had requested for residents living in the Tirtonadi to cooperate and willing to be relocated. “We will need to relocate all residents above Tirtonadi water gate,” he said adding that the government will ensure these developments bring benefit for public as they will serve as rain water container and water catchment area.
“The basin would be able to contain million cubic meters of rain water,” he said. “Besides avoiding floods disaster, people can use the water for drinking water.”
In addition, Solo administration has begun dredging Bengawan Solo river drainage and will elevate its embankment for 1.5 meter by 2015. “We need to elevate the embankment to strengthen its structure. We also discuss this with the agency,” he said adding that elevating the embankment would prevent water to run through the city. Other locations being elevated are Demangan, Sangkrah Mojo and Semanggi. Bramantyo