Widespread flooding is imminent, official warns<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans should prepare for more severe
\nflooding during this year's wet season as preliminary data has
\nrevealed a jump in the number of flood-prone areas, from 82 last
\nyear to a predicted 100, an official said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Flooding will be widespread in the approaching rainy season,
\nbasically because of the rapid growth in development projects
\nduring the dry season,\" Toha Reno, head of the city's order and
\nentertainment subdivision office, said.<\/p>\n
The drainage systems at development projects were frequently
\ninadequate, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Many developers just build their projects, ranging from high-
\nrise buildings to roads, without thinking about adequate water
\nrunoff. They just don't care about how to prevent flooding during
\nthe rainy season.\"<\/p>\n
The areas near Cempaka Putih, Kemayoran, Sumur Batu and
\nSerdang in Central Jakarta, for example, are likely to suffer
\nfrom flooding next January simply because so much land there has
\nbeen converted into high-rise buildings.<\/p>\n
\"The land surface around the buildings is higher than the
\nnearby roads but it is not equipped with sufficient drainage
\nsystems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The elevation of the road surface near the Cempaka Mas
\nbuilding, for instance, has caused water to flow into low-lying
\nareas in several housing complexes -- such as Cempaka Putih,
\nSumur Batu and Serdang -- and Jakarta Military Command, Toha
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, unlike in previous years, Cempaka Putih is now
\nprone to flooding.\"<\/p>\n
There are also two rivers passing through Cempaka Putih --
\nKali Cabang Sentiong and Kali Kramat -- which have turned into
\nshallow trickles during the dry season.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore I urge the officials in related areas to conduct
\nriver quarrying to ensure water runs off smoothly,\" Toha said.<\/p>\n
Based on the 1996 flood map projections from the city's public
\norder office, there are 82 areas which are almost always affected
\nby flooding.<\/p>\n
In Central Jakarta, Mangga Besar, Teluk Gong, Kali Beton,
\nJembatan Ilir, Taman Kota, Sabang, Palmerah and Pangeran
\nJayakarta are among the areas affected. In South Jakarta:
\nUlujami, Hang Lekir, Cipulir, Ciledug, Bintaro, Tebet and Pasar
\nMinggu.<\/p>\n
In North Jakarta the flood-prone areas include: Bunderan
\nPluit, Sunter Jaya, Kapuk Muara, Donggala, Pademangan. In East
\nJakarta: Sunter Halim, Kebon Pala, Cawang, Dewi Sartika,
\nCipinang, Kampung Melayu, Jatinegara and Kelapa Gading. In West
\nJakarta: Kali Deres, Meruya Ilir, Budi Mulia, Gajah Mada and
\nHayam Wuruk.<\/p>\n
\"There is no way to avoid the flood if we just sit and wait
\nfor the rain to fall. Every member of the community must be
\nprepared for it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to Toha, the city has prepared several flood posts
\nin the five mayoralties and every subdistrict which is flood-
\nprone.<\/p>\n
\"The headquarters for the flood posts is located in the city's
\npublic order office. People could ring 3823412 or fax us at
\n3822212.\"<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso has urged the city's five mayoralties to
\nstart flood prevention initiatives before the wet season starts.<\/p>\n
He also told subordinates to clear the river banks of illegal
\nresidents who have erected shacks there because the areas are
\nconsidered dangerous.<\/p>\n
\"Jakartans must prepare themselves by cleaning the gutters and
\nrivers in their own neighborhoods,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Flooding early this year -- the worst to hit the capital since
\n1976 -- was recorded in all city mayoralties.<\/p>\n
Flood waters even inundated some areas, including Jl. Thamrin
\nand Jl. Sudirman, which have not been affected for many years.<\/p>\n
According to official data, at least 22 people were killed in
\nthe floods and thousands were forced to flee their homes. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/widespread-flooding-is-imminent-official-warns-1447893297",
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