The Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is developing flood control channels in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara to improve disaster mitigation systems in one of the government's five super-priority tourist destinations.
Mandalika managing director I Wayan Karioka explained that the 5-kilometer long channels would be built to anticipate flooding that frequently occurred in the area during the rainy season.
“We are also expediting the project's finalization to welcome the new normal phase,” he added.
Having begun in early June, the project has reached 19 percent completion with the help of 34 workers. It was targeted to finish by the end of next month.
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In addition to building the disaster mitigation system, the ITDC further cooperated with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to provide search and rescue services on the nearby Kuta Mandalika Beach to ensure visitors' safety.
As many as six trained search and rescue personnel –equipped with a rescue boat, spinal board and life jackets, among other things– would be deployed at the beach.
“Hopefully, visitors and all stakeholders will feel safe and comfortable during their stay in Mandalika,” Karioka said in a statement on Wednesday.
The 1,175 hectare resort area was among the government's five super-priority destinations developed to improve tourism and spur economic growth.
The four other destinations are Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara and Likupang in North Sulawesi.
