City administration calls for vigilance against floods

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Although the city's flood indicators show normal levels, the Jakarta administration has advised residents to remain on the alert, as the monsoon season is expected to peak this month.

"We call on Jakartans to pay attention to information on floods in all media -- TV and radio -- and through our representatives in community or neighborhood units to be prepared for possible flooding," Governor Sutiyoso told reporters on Tuesday at City Hall.

Sutiyoso cited a forecast by the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency saying that the wet season would peak in December and January.

"Since we have not been able to install a flood prevention system in the city, like the East Flood Canal, we all have to keep watch against possible flooding," he said.

The canal, located in the eastern part of Jakarta, is designed to control five of 13 rivers flowing into the capital.

However, construction on the canal has hit a snag due to land acquisition problems: Those residents affected by the project have asked for higher compensation than that offered by the administration.

The ineffectiveness of the existing West Flood Canal has also raised the risk of flooding, as the canal has been narrowed by the thousands of squatters who have settled along its banks.

City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya, who also chairs the City Flood Mitigating Task Force, met with representatives of 15 city agencies on Sunday to check final preparations for the annual flood.

"Most of the flood mitigation equipment is ready, but we have a problem with supplies of food and medicine, which are not yet available in subdistricts or districts," said Flood Mitigating Task Force secretary Soebagio.

Flooding is an annual occurrence in the capital, 40 percent of which is below sea level, and 78 areas of the city faces being swamped if at least 100 millimeters of rain fall in a day.

"With 13 rivers flowing into the city, heavy rains in the upstream areas of Bogor, Puncak and Cianjur can also cause flooding in the city," he said.

An additional contributing factor to the flooding this year is the peak of the year's high tide, which is expected to happen during the December to January period.

Two years ago, Jakarta experienced its worst-ever flood, which paralyzed most of the capital, claimed 31 lives and left 300,000 homeless.

Flood emergency phone numbers

Flood Mitigation Task Force (Center) 3822011, 3823413

- Central Jakarta Task Force 3843066

- North Jakarta Task Force 490152

- West Jakarta Task Force 5821765/5821725

- South Jakarta Task Force 7396321

- East Jakarta Task Force 48702443

Fire Department 113

Health care 34835118

Food/medical assistance 4264675

Tap water services 5704250 ext/3200

Electricity (PLN) 123

Source: Flood Mitigation Task Force