Eleven rivers susceptible to severe flooding

JAKARTA: Herwanto Sigit, the deputy assistant for ecosystem and watering at the Environment Ministry, said that 11 watershed areas in Indonesia had poor water quality and were prone to flooding.

“Those rivers are in a critical state, as they could instigate massive floods and their water quality is poor. For instance, Ciliwung river had 400 times the [water level] difference between the dry and rainy [seasons],” Herwanto said as quoted by kompas.com.

Seven of the 11 rivers that Herwanto classified as “critical” were located in Java, namely: Ciliwung, Cisadane, Citarum, Citanduy, Bengawan Solo, Brantas and Progo. Herwanto said the Ministry had prepared the plan to save the rivers that were classified as “critical”.