CCTV system to be used to monitor sluices

In an effort to maintain a watch on water levels in rivers during the upcoming rainy season, the city administration plans to install a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system at sluices in the city.

"We will use all means so that information about the flow of water from upper areas can reach residents as soon as possible," the head of the Jakarta Public Order Agency, Soebagyo, who is also the secretary of the city's disaster mitigation team, said on Tuesday.

Soebagyo did not mention the cost of procuring and installing the system. He did say monitors would be placed at sluices along the Ciliwung River in Depok and Manggaria, and at sluices on the Pasanggrahan, Angke and Cipinang rivers.

The heart of the system will be based at the crisis center in City Hall.

Citing reports from the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Soebagyo said the rainy season would begin later this month and was expected to reach its peak in December and January.

He particularly warned residents living along the banks of the 13 major rivers in the city not to dump garbage into the rivers, which could worsen the flooding.

"Residents who live on riverbanks must prepare for possible flooding. Their areas are the most at risk for flooding during the rainy season," he said.

The administration has said in the past that it is unable to prevent the annual flooding because the East Flood Canal still has not been completed. The canal is expected to ease flooding by connecting the five major rivers in eastern Jakarta with the West Flood Canal.

Soebagyo said about 21,000 officers from various agencies and organizations, including the public order agency, the public works agency, the police and the military, were ready to be deployed to assist flood victims. -- JP