Konawe Flood Causes IDR226bn Economic Loss: Governor

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Southeast Sulawesi Governor Ali Mazi said that the total economic losses caused by the flood in Konawe had reached up to IDR 226.58 billion. The losses were apparent in the agriculture sector, especially in Konawe District.

"The total losses reaches IDR 226.58 billion in the agriculture sector," said Ali Mazi during a meeting with Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister and a number of members of the House of Representatives (DPR) Infrastructure Commission on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Ali underlined that the most affected sector is the rice field area, which suffer losses up to IDR 167.69 billion, followed by cornfield losses recorded at IDR 49.12 billion and cattle farm losses at IDR 5.95 billion. Moreover, the poultry and pig farm have also suffered losses up to IDR 1.25 billion and IDR 1.13 billion, respectively.

The Governor further mentioned that the cost to handle the disaster's aftermath reaches up to a total of IDR 704.15 billion. As many as IDR 693.40 billion will be chanelled for disaster recovery efforts and the other IDR 10.74 billion will be chanelled for social management efforts.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono explained that Konawe was flooded because the water level of two of its main rivers, Konaweha and Lahumbuti, was rising over its banks, in addition to heavy rain in Kendari area.

As a result, the high water volume inundated residential areas. "So in the near future, we will build and repair reservoirs and dams,starting this 2019," said Basuki after monitoring several dams and infrastructures affected by floods in Konawe.

DIAS PRASONGKO