Skip to main content

Dam burst tragedy and three important notes

On Friday, March 27, 2009, Situ Gintung dam at Cirendeu, Tangerang, southeast of Jakarta, has broken-down and the water flooded like a small tsunami, washing away cars, houses and settlement area. Ninety nine people were killed and 102 others were missing (update the number of victims from www.kompas.com on Tuesday, March 31, 2009). My condolence for victims and their family. From all of that, there are three important notes that I want to share through this blog.

First, it is indeed the embankment that broken-down was caused by excessive debit of water. Situ Gintung levee was originally built under Dutch colonial authorities era, only able to accommodate 1 million cubic of water, while the debit of water before the incident has reached 2 million cubic of water debit. There should be early warning for residents who live around the embankment when felt there was something that threatens the safety of citizens. In Situ Gintung actually already there, but not work well.

Second, allotment of land around the flood plains has been infringe the rules. If refer to the rules then there can be no building within 30 meters distance from flood plains, in order to become water absorption area if overflow occur unexpectedly. But, housing has been built in flood plains at Situ Gintung area, so there is no water absorption area and at the time the embankment (dam) broken then the water immediately flooding in settlement residents. Therefore the allotment of land around the flood plains all over Indonesia should be re-standardization, for the sake of safety for all of us.

Third, for people who live in areas prone to disaster, need to prepare local emergency response system independently, which can be used when something happens while waiting for help from the authorities. In that way, the number of victim could be minimized.

I hope the re-standardization of flood plains can be done immediately. End of word, flood is another "natural process" which can not be avoided, even though I feel very sad to know these disaster. All that we can do is using technology for early warning, prepare ourselves and give rapid-help to minimize victims. What is your opinion about this?

Comments

  1. Kacihan para korbannya, apa emang indonesia ini banyak salahnya, jd sering terjadi bencana ya?

    ReplyDelete
  2. this is not "natural process" but human (government)'s indifferent/uncaring! and it's always repeated.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Rampadan - I quotes and translate your comment bellow:

    "Whether Indonesia a lot of wrong, so disaster occur often"

    Why you think like that?

    @Yendoel - That is the output from my deep-feeling of sad and for calm-down myself.

    @Elmo - No doubt!

    ReplyDelete
  4. if tragedy occurs because the nature, it does not need to excused. but, if due to negligence, it is very sad.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Anthony Harman - According to you, is this tragedy occur because of the nature or negligence?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Berdoa lah tetap untuk bangsa Indonesia tercinta

    ReplyDelete
  7. moga yang di tinggalkan mendapat ketabahan dalam menghadapi musibah...

    bdw salam kenal pak...!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. C'mon you can't really blame this on a natural disaster. After all its not like dams are a new and untested technology. This dam was 80 years old. Further with all the irrigation here its not like there is some lack of people without the skills on how to move water. Heavy rains? Correct me if I'm wrong but they can get heavy rains all the time here - call it the the rainy season. Nope unfortunately this disaster was man made and entirely preventable.

    ReplyDelete
  9. From the information provided, I would have to say that this tragedy was completely preventable.

    Why were people allowed to move into this know to be unsafe area? And why was the dam not reinforced before this horrible tragedy? Eighty year old insufficient dam is ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. @Laston M Nainggolan - Of course, I pray for Indonesia, but only pray is not enough without do something.

    @Azarre - Hopefully, Amen!

    @Pj - The dam was built in the Dutch colonial era in 1933 (76 years old). You are right, this disaster is preventable if the authorities really pay attention, re-build using new technology and cares with its maintenance. If I said "natural disaster", it just my end of word (because could not say anymore) as the output of my deep-feeling of sad (because can be prevented but don't care).
    However, your comment already give a different taste to this post.

    @Mckay K - I believe none of the authorities gave permission for them to inhabit unsafe area. They move by their own because poor or no choice, maybe.
    I agree with you that the dam should be reinforced or even re-build.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Whatever the cause or whoever's responsible--will either acknowlege and live with their part in the disaster or chose to remain oblivious.
    Those who's suffered permanent loss, and are grieving those who died or frantic for those missing: They will mourn this loss and suffer anxiety as long as they live. It may be impossible for them to maintain any sense of hope now but they deserve our prayers and hope so that they can continue--and honor the memory of those they've lost.
    Tragedy is a word used too often and without real discernment--here we have a true catastrophe.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Indeed it's a national tragedy...
    Thanks for your post that can touch other people heart

    ReplyDelete
  14. waaah...

    aku ngga mahir bahasa inggris tuh

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yeah, it's our problems. I think it's time for us to recharge our mind about our environtment. If we didn't protected them, it's a disaster.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Kathleenmaher - Nice comment without judging anyone. I think, no one want to live in unsafe area except because of poor and no choice.

    @Karila Wisudayanti - You're welcome.

    @Antaresa - It's Ok, if you cannot write in English, you may use Bahasa Indonesia.

    @Newsoul - You are right.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's tragic and sad I hope it never happen again in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Semoga korban bencana diterima disisi NYA..
    salam

    ReplyDelete
  19. mungkin Tuhan mulai bosan?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Air adalah suatu berkah tetapi air juga bisa menjadi bencana jika diperlakukan tdk baik oleh manusia..
    artikellengkap.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. iya mas, dimanapun kita berada kalo bisa harus siap menghadapi bencana, cuman kita kan juga harus punya waktu istirahat juga...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Tikno - I'm very sorry about this tragedy. We have developers building in low-lying, flood-prone areas here - we cannot work out how they get away with it. Well - it isn't so hard to work out - but it is very wrong and silly.

    ReplyDelete
  23. rummuser7/4/09

    Every calamity of this nature makes us wiser by hindsight. Unfortunately, we human beings never seem to learn from such calamities. This is not the first time that a dam burst. The same analysis that you have listed were found in the other cases too. They may have been in other countries but the reasons are not very different in basics. We invite trouble and bemoan our lot when trouble hits us.

    ReplyDelete
  24. lets not blaming each other, i think this another usual sickness of our country..once the disaster occurred, people start pointing at each other..

    What now we should care is how to create some kind of disaster management prevention, to minimize the risk of disaster and creating awareness among people to respect the environment.

    Nice post..

    ReplyDelete
  25. I hope the political gamer can be real honest to help the situ gintung victim....

    Thanks on your visiting my blog

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh, this is such a sad news, Tikno. I hope your government can do something about this so to avoid this in the future.
    It is so nice to be back here in your blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. kalo menurut gw, itu kesalahan pemerintah. Padahal ada dana buat reparasi tapi kenapa ga dibetulin?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Well, talking about this tragedy, it's need some effort, need our concentrated time. I am glad to read all your opinions. For some reason I like this blog, especially the title of this blog. Guys....please come again to my blog so you'll know what's the reason.

    ReplyDelete
  29. i think..thats is a mistake made by the government official.....(not just a common disaster)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous8/4/09

    Semua kelalaian manusia ya Mas Tikno, tapi mereka selalu saja menyalahkan alam. Semoga pemerintah dapat bertindak cepat dan semoga juga hal2 seperti ini tidak terjadi lagi diwaktu mendatang.

    ReplyDelete
  31. wah kok jadi anonim, salah klik saya nih Mas Tikno

    ReplyDelete
  32. Turut prihatin mas atas kejadian iti

    Pondokku

    ReplyDelete
  33. @Abi - It will happen again if we don't care about environment. Take a simple thing like putting garbage to the proper place.

    @Dinoe - Amen! and greeting to you too.

    @Marianus - Did you realy said "Maybe the God began to be bored?"
    For me, I think the God began to be bored against our behavior to the environment.

    @Radhitya - Nice poem about water.

    @Suryaden - I mean about a system, NOT every person must be awake and standby all the time just for watch out the disaster without sleep.
    I mean an early warning system using the technology with a few of officers guard.

    @Robin - Would you like to share a few example of early warning system from your country Australia, particularly for preventing flood disaster.

    @Rummuser - Maybe you right, the reasons are not very different in basics in the other cases. Your comment seem for developing countries, if I'm not wrong.

    @Mama Hilda - I'm interest on you statement above.

    @Samarinda - I saw the authorities already help them. I also saw the President and the Vice President has given the quick response. Are you have seen something wrong?

    @Grace - They already do something when the disaster happen.

    @Rian Xavier - I agree, government should take responsibility (reinforce the dam or build new). The reason why we should paying tax.

    @Neng Aia - Greeting to you too.

    @Newsoul - Let me know, please. I love your blog too, Elly Suryani.

    @Mel - Like comment from PJ and Mckay above : preventable.

    @Seno (Anonymous) - Yes, most because of human error.

    @Erik94940 - Me too.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Moga semuanya diberikan ketabahan dalam menghadapi cobaan ini

    ReplyDelete
  35. I feel very sad over the tragedi but I know that the world need to know what happened. And I know that your blog post will help in some way.
    Keep up the good work.
    Giovanna Garcia
    Imperfect Action is better than No Action

    ReplyDelete
  36. @Paman Gober - Hopefully.

    @Giovanna Garcia - Just sharing information about what we can do in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Too old 4 Jakarta.. Bencana ga ad matinya..hiks hiks

    ReplyDelete
  38. nice info friends...

    ReplyDelete
  39. Nice posting, boss.
    I'll be back.
    Btw, I have joined your community.
    Cheers,
    Harry

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Tikno, it is so nice to be back here.
    Thanks for this information.
    Happy Easter! :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. It's not right, but it does happen, and we wish it didn't.

    Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come back tomorrow!


    joy
    A Pinay In EnglandYour Love CoachI, Woman

    ReplyDelete
  42. i see this this think as a lesson for the human, because theres many human mistake i've seen here...

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello. I found your blog on blogcatalog. I´m now following.

    Nice blog you have.
    It´s popular.

    Well here is mine:
    http://traffic-payout.blogspot.com
    "Traffic To Your Blog"

    My latest post "The 7 Great Lies Of Network Marketing" book from Ann Sieg (famous writer/blogger)

    ps. It´s free ebook! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. These people will be in my prayers how very sad!

    ReplyDelete
  45. @Mata Hati - You right.

    @Yanuar Catur Rastafara - thanks.

    @Harry Nizam - Thank you very much.

    @Grace - I'm glad you're coming.

    @Joy - Wise thought. There is a lot of beautiful photos in your blog.

    @Bayu Nugroho - Partly is human mistake.

    @Steinar Arason - Thank you. I have visited your blog. Many interesting articles there.

    @Tamela's Place - Feel that you are a kind-hearted person. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. A Christian was not necessarily choose a Christian Party, as well as a moslem.

    ReplyDelete
  47. @Anthony Harman - May be your comment refers to the next post.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous20/11/09

    It is extremely interesting for me to read this article. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

NOTE: comment moderation is activated due to a lot of spam comments. Comments containing racial hatred, personal attacks, or advertising are strictly prohibited.

POPULAR POSTS LAST 7 DAYS:

Christmas Contemplation When The Bell Ringing

A few days ago, I visited a mall to buy something. The atmosphere was very rousing with Christmas decorations and I believe also occurs around the world. Producers take advantage of Christmas moment to compete and increase sales with tempting offers, such as: discount 20%, 30%, 40%, buy one get one, etc. Parents are busy thinking of what gifts should be purchased, and children imagining of what the gift they will get. Many people calculate their money for the best holiday package. That's NOT wrong! But... when the bell is ringing.... Before: Christmas is the birth of Savior! Now: Santa, where is my gift? Before: That is the beginning of the redemption of our sin. Now: Let's be happy for welcoming Christmas and new year. Before: Jesus has come in simplicity. Now: Let's go holiday ! I'm just imagining the genuine spirit of why we celebrate Christmas has gone. And... in this opportunity, I want to tell you that the Christmas bell resounding the call to the soul to follow t

Chinese New Year 2560 - Gong Xi Fa Cai

On January 26th 2009 (Indonesian time) the Chinese people around the world celebrate the Chinese New Year 2560th (old enough I think). It's sometimes called the Lunar New Year . Following tradition, at the night one day before the first day of new year, all family members gather together for dinner. The chosen venue usually at the home of the most senior member of the family or at restaurant. After dinner, usually followed by giving the red envelopes ( Hongbao in Mandarin; Angpao in Indonesian) from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors, and the junior member give respect by saying the hope for health, happiness, and long-aged to the elderly. Prayer at the temples and visiting the other elderly relatives is the next schedules. In Indonesia, I noted that since the era of President Abdurrahman Wahid (also known as Gus Dur), the Chinese culture such as lion dance (Indonesian called Barongsai), the use of Chinese characters and Chinese red paper lantern for decor

Flood In Samarinda City

From Friday, November 7th 2008 (Indonesian time), the flood was happened at several places in Samarinda city, and four days next (November 11th) has overflowed into more areas. Close to afternoon the electricity around the city has switched off by the electric company. At one place, a student Roby has died because the flood's water containing electric current derived from the traffic light pole. That's the reason why the electricity cannot be switched on until they find its problems. Local newspapers had reported that in several places the flood's height is about 40 to 100 cm and flooding over hundreds houses. Schools and shops in serious flood location has been holiday. From obtained news, the flood was caused by the high rainfall, dam water overflow, the river water was rising and was aggravated with the shallow riverbed. In the area of the Unmul botanical garden, as many as thirteen crocodile was wandering because the guardrail was broken as a result of being bashed by t