Governor: Govt to concern spatial planning again

MEDAN, North Sumatra - Acting Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho admitted poor spatial planning caused Friday flash flood in Medan and its greater regions.

"We find riverbank settlements have dominated Babura River basin areas," said Gatot here on Tuesday.

He added, provincial office would call Medan Mayor Rahudman Harahap's seriousness to rehabilitate drainage along with environment preservation.

"The city government is responsible to handle overflowing vulnerability on the Babura River and Deli River," Gatot said all regional governments have been ordered to examine spatial planning term.

"It wonders us that some have had established a five-year spatial planning, instead of regular 15-year planning term."

Floods triggered by incessant heavy rains since Thursday (March 31), have inundated thousands of houses in Medan.

Of the total 21 sub districts in Medan, seven are flooded, Khairul Buhari, a spokesman of the Medan administration, said.

The flood-affected sub districts are Medan Tuntungan, Medan Selayang, Medan Polonia, Medan Baru, Medan Petisah, Medan Johor, and Medan Maimun.

source : waspada.co.id