Normalization of Batang Tapan river spent a budget of Rp585 billion

Painan (ANTARA) - The Government of Pesisir Selatan Regency, W Sumatra, estimates that the normalization of the Batang Tapan river, whose floods have caused flooding in the local area, costs up to Rp585 billion.

"The team has already been to the location, from their calculations the normalization and construction of river banks has cost Rp585 billion," said the Secretary of the Pesisir Selatan District, Erizon in Painan, Monday.

He mentioned that normalization and construction of river banks began in 2010, Office of Management of Water Resources ( PSDA) W Sumatra this year allocated a budget of Rp1 billion and the Balai Sungai Region V of Sumatra Rp40 billion.

"Hopefully with this year's development, the overflow of the Batang Tapan river in Ranah IV Hulu Tapan and Basa IV District Balai Tapan can be overcome," he added.

Flooding in two sub-districts not only inundated residential areas and agricultural areas but also disrupted access to the Sumatra crossing from Bengkulu-Padang and Jambi-Padang that passed through the local area.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the PSDA Office Pesisir Selatan, Sukma Roni, said the billions of rupiah project from the W Sumatra PSDA and the Balai Sungai Region V Sumatra will be tendered in the near future.

"We hope this activity will start as soon as possible so that frequent flooding due to the overflow of the Batang Tapan river can be minimized," he said.

Previously, on January 21, 2019 dozens of houses in Nagari Binjai Tapan and Kampung Tengah Tapan, District Ranah IV Hulu Tapan were flooded due to the overflow of the Batang Tapan river.

According to local residents, Syafrudin (45) flooding often occurs especially during the rainy season, which is worsened because the Batang Tapan river is unable to accommodate water debits.

"Normalization of the Batang Tapan river must be carried out because floods occur almost throughout the year," he said.

Traneleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani

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