Swamp conversions trigger floods

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (Jakarta Post) : Recurring floods in Palembang are caused by widespread and excessive conversion of wetland areas around the city, an official in Palembang said Tuesday.

"As much as 70 percent of Palembang's wetlands have been reclaimed, which means many parts of the city now become flooded when it rains. This is a disaster waiting to happen," South Sumatra Wetlands Data Center specialist Momon Sidik Imanuddin said.

He said Palembang's wetland terrain had a high tendency to flood after rain, especially since the Musi River was silted up, which caused its waters to overflow and flood low-lying areas.

Momon said the ordinance on water resources had not been effectively implemented. The ordinance stipulates that people should reserve at least 20 percent of their land when building in wetland areas and build retention pools to contain water seepage.

"There is a strong indication that many developers have not followed these rules just to make more money," Momon said.

Momon said the administration should limit the issuance of wetland reclamation permits.