Bali Prone to Disaster
Increasing physical development has made Bali prone to landslides and floods. Also, in terms of geographical position, Bali is in an earthquake sensitive area. Program Manager Australian Red Cross Project I Gede Sudiartha made the comments in Assessment and Preparedness of Disaster Control training in Hotel Batukaru on Tuesday (18/11). “Bali is prone to disaster,” Sudiartha added. The 1976 earthquake in Seririt in Singaraja and Mt. Agung eruptions are examples. In the training, the participants are provided with the ability to prepare for and manage disaster. (BP Nov. 19)
TBC in Indonesia
In the last three years, at least 583,000 new cases of TBC were found in Indonesia making Indonesia one of the countries in Southeast and South Asia that has the highest rates of TBC. This was reported in a meeting of a forum to control TBC in Southeast and South Asia at the Hotel Padma Kuta on Friday (14/11). Participants in the meeting included Indonesia, Timor Leste, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Burma, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In Bali, there are 486 TBC positive people. (BP Nov. 17)
Hike in Flight Fares
Starting from November 14, 2003, all domestic fares were raised for Lebaran. Merpati already announced the hike, its Denpasar-Surabaya route increases 26 percent, from Rp. 299,700 to Rp. 379,000 & Denpasar-Jakarta route increases 62 percent, from Rp 446,000 to Rp 726,000. In addition, the competition in Ngurah Rai Airport is getting intense, as on November 20, two new airlines Batavia Air and Adam Air started service. (Nusa Nov. 10)
Student Killed
A storm claimed the life of Dewa Ayu Purniasih, 15, a junior high school student from Sibang Gede on Friday (7/11). A strong wind broke a tree and it fell on the street where Purniasih was riding a motorcycle. She was crushed by the tree and died on the scene. (Denpost 8 Nov)
Australians Appealed to Visit Bali
The Bali House of Representatives has appealed to the Australian Parliament to annul travel warnings to Bali. However, “The travel warning is policy of Australian government, while the Parliament only can make recommendations,” said Representative Drs. Nengah Sumardika on Friday (7/11). (BP Nov. 8)
Bedugul Threatened with Flash Floods
The flash flood that swept Bahorok in North Sumatra could also happen in Bali particularly west Bali and Bedugul. “The housing development in Bedugul is perilous and landslides are likely to happen because the soil structure in the area does not absorb water,” said Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment for Bali and West Nusatenggara, Drs. Ketut Muliartha, on Thursday (6/11). Dr. Ir. I Wayan Arthana, M.S. an expert in environment said the sensitive flood areas are West Bali as many of the forests have been cleared and Bedugul, whose top soil is thin. (BP 7 Nov)
Dead Baby Found
A dead baby boy, wrapped in cloth and plastic along with his placenta, was found in a dike in Kayu Kapas, Kintamani. Kartika Sari, 9, first found the baby as she was walking on the dike. Within 24 hours, Kintamani Police found the mother. Ni Nengah Sud, resident of Kayu Kapas. The Police did not conclude whether the baby was killed or not. The corpse was brought to Bangli Hospital morgue for autopsy. Sud was arrested. (BP Nov. 6)
