2019’s Flood in Makassar

Flood engulfed victims in Makassar. After raining happen during two days along with raising water of earth, a flood cannot be avoided. Actually, the flood had repeatedly come with various levels. 

Yet, this year level of the flood is higher than last year. I have no idea why it could be going worst. Indeed, many people see it in different views like using Islamic perspective that the flood is a warning of the God for many sins we had done, considering died ancestor is mad with human and putting science view to explain the flood. Among the reasons have supporters in society, even they usually discuss as well as lambast other to defend their stand. It is ok because it is a common thing in society in responding difference thing.

As a journalist, I try to see the problem in critical thinking. After identifying what the problem is, I gain the conclusion that the flood is caused by two factors: Human’s bad behavior and government policy. 

First, human’ bad behavior in term of throwing rubbish has been done by people. As the result, the trash is spread out to drain which challenge water movement for getting the final destination like a river. We are able to see easily in many drains including in front of my dormitory where tenants are not concerned with the bad impact of throwing the rubbish in not proper places. 

Sometimes I feel queasy with that terrible habit. Moreover, most of the people who stay in my dormitory and around it are students of the university who suppose to show their more concern for keeping and raising environmental issues amid climate change. 

Second, government policy for permitting investors to expand their business with no environmental consideration is a serious problem. Capitalism ideology applied by government benefit investor for taking high profit of their business abandoning what we called “green concept of development”. For example, the flood which happened in near my dormitory was because of government policy in supporting property business.

Meanwhile, the location for the property is the place for absorbing water when the rain comes. That consideration was not put by the government in his concept before legitimating the property development. It is inevitable that the flood was getting bigger.

~Makassar, 31 January 2019