JAKARTA PREDICTED TO EXPERIENCE FLOODING IN JANUARY-MARCH PERIOD

         Anybody planning to visit Jakarta in  January-March this year should be prepared to have to cope with flooding if a climatological prediction announced on Thursday is correct.

         Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya, citing a report from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency BMKG), said  Jakarta had the potential of being hit by floods due to intense rainfall across Java island.

        "According to a BMKG report, floods will occur in the January- February period across Jakarta,"  the minister said.

        The floods would be caused by heavy  rainfall and strong winds that would occur across  Java island.

        In  January, rainfall was expected to reach levels of 300 mm -500 mm, in February 300mm -400 mm and in March 200mm -300 mm.

        The BMKG report speficically mentioned the areas in Jakarta that would be affected by the floods.

        In Central Jakarta it would be Cempaka Putih, Gambir, Kemayoran, Menteng , Sawah Besar, Senenand Tanah Abang.

        In West Jakarta, Cengkareng , Grogol, Petamburan , Kali Deres, , Kebon Jeruk and Taman Sari
.    In South Jakarta, Cilandak,  Kebayoran Baru,  Mampang Prapatan,  Pancoran, Pasar Minggu,  Pesanggrahan, and Tebet.

         In East Jakarta, Cakung, Cipayung, Ciracas, Jatinegara,  Kramat Jati, Makasar, and Pulo Gadung.

         In North Jakarta, Cilincing, Kelapa Gading, Koja , Pademangan, , Penjaringan  and Tanjung Priok.

         Meanwhile, other areas in Java Island likely to see flooding  due to the high rainfall are : Banten, Yogyakarta, West Java, and East Java.

        However, the Minister called on the public to stay calm as the floods would  not as big  as those in 2002.

        "We have to stay calm but alert. The floods will be as wide spread as those in 2002 and 2006 but the water level will be lower," he said without giving  specific figures.