TEMPO.CO, Klaten-The regional government has been urged to identify river area which could potentially cause flash flood. The government and the local residents must also be able to identify it due to the destructive and swift nature of flash flood.

“Rivers which upstream are at the slopes of Mount Merapi and Merbabu as well as in Dieng area have flash flood characteristics,” said Agus Maryono, a member of Indonesian Disaster Experts Association (IABI) of Flood and Drought Working Unit.

Agus conveyed the warning in a discussion forum on flash flood in Klaten, last Saturday. In the forum, the Head of Study and Implementation of Rainmaking Technology of BPPT’s Artificial Rain Technical Implementation Unit, Tri Handoko Seto, revealed potential disasters, include flash flood, landslides and tornadoes as the peak of rainy season draws near next March.

“Stronger wind in western area since Thursday has resulted in the massive growth of clouds in southern part of Indonesia, such as southern part of Sumatera, Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara,” said Tri.

Therefore, Agus considers that people must get specific information on flash flood. Rivers with flash flood characteristics, said Agus, is usually situated at the bend of critical slopes with low rock composition and stacked with landslide materials and dead trees.

According to him, flash flood could cause casualties since people are usually unaware if the upstream is raining heavily for a long time. In addition to the mapping of flash flood prone rivers, he added, the government must deploy early warning system.

Acting Regent of Klaten, Jaka Sawaldi, said that the local government has been trying to minimize impacts of flood. They have launched Clean River Campaign involving thousands of community members, volunteers, Indonesia Armed Force, the National Police, Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and several regional apparatus working unit.

The campaign of mutual assistance in cleaning the river from garbage which has been carried out since Saturday, he said, has been targeting areas across Lunyi, Grogok, Jaliden, Kacang Ijo and Jalidin rivers. “Most of villages in Klaten were inundated by floodwater two weeks ago. It was caused by broken embankments and overflowing of rivers clogged by garbage,” said Jaka.

DINDA LEO LISTY