'Flood mitigation is main priority'<\/p>\n
Floods have largely receded in Jakarta and people displaced by
\nthe floods have returned to their houses. Fear of further floods,
\nhowever, remains as the city administration is still struggling
\nto find solutions to the annual phenomenon. The Jakarta Post
\ninterviewed several residents on what they thought about the city
\nadministration's efforts to mitigate floods in the capital.<\/p>\n
Anton, 26, is a computer consultant for restaurants. His
\nfamily sold their house in Pluit, North Jakarta due to the 2002
\nfloods and he currently lives in an apartment in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
We really wanted to continue living in Pluit. I have so many
\ngood memories of that house because I grew up there. We even
\nrenovated the house and made it higher, but the floods continued.
\nEvery time it rained I got nervous and couldn't sleep. It was
\nhell.<\/p>\n
In 2002 it reached shoulder-level, that's when we finally had
\nenough and decided to move. My father's deteriorating health was
\nalso a factor. It was very tough on him when it flooded as he had
\nlimited mobility.<\/p>\n
The floods are predictable and an annual occurrence. The human
\nand financial losses are huge. It does not make any sense. I feel
\nashamed as a Jakarta resident to see the city flooded.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso and the city administration should make
\nflood-mitigation their main priority. Why are they wasting money
\non new statues and fencing Monas? They should fix what needs
\nfixing first.<\/p>\n
Jakarta needs a strong leader. Somebody should stand up and
\nsolve this problem even if it means doing what is unpopular.<\/p>\n
Eddy, 28, is an animator who lives with his family in Menteng,
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
To be honest, our house has not experienced any flooding. When
\nit floods I avoid traveling as much as possible. I do not want to
\nbe stuck in traffic jams.<\/p>\n
However, it seems that the floods are getting worse every
\nyear. In the early 1990s it seemed that the highest level was one
\nmeter, then it became two meters, and now it can reach three to
\nfour meters, which is unheard of. It makes me scared.<\/p>\n
When the streets are flooded, walking becomes dangerous. You
\ncan't see what is underneath all that dirty water. I don't know
\nwhat I might step into, it could be a hole or the gutter, or I
\nmight even step on a nail.<\/p>\n
The floods happen partly due to mismanagement of the flood
\ngates. The Jakarta city planning is not good at all. The city
\ngovernment only reacts when floods occur, but they have yet to
\nfind a permanent solution.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/flood-mitigation-is-main-priority-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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