TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo outlined a number of solutions offered by the government for preventing floods in Sintang Regency of West Kalimantan.

For a short-term solution, he explained, the government is building flood control embankments. “We hope that the geo-tube embankments will reduce existing inundation in a short time,” he said after monitoring the construction of the embankment in Ladang Village, Sintang, Wednesday, December 8.

Other than the extreme rainfall, he argued that flooding in Sintang was also caused by environmental damage in the water basin areas (DAS) and water catchment areas. On this basis, the government would execute a number of strategies, including replanting in areas around the Kapuas River and Melawi River.

“I will instruct the Environment and Forestry Ministry and big private companies to build nurseries so that reforestation can actually take place,” the head of state added.

For the medium term, the government through the Ministry of Public Works and Housing would also dredge the lake and manage the drainage system in the Kapuas River and design a major flood control plan.

As for the long term, the government planned to build the Pinoh River Dam and carry out periodic maintenance of rivers and lakes in the Kapuas River area.

Read: Jokowi Says Massive Floods in West Kalimantan Caused by Broken Water Catchment

DEWI NURITA