DKI Utilises Drought Warning to Accelerate Canal Dredging

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is utilising the prolonged dry weather warning from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to accelerate the canal dredging process in the capital.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that this utilisation is an effort to prepare for the rainy season in September 2026.

“Jakarta, starting from mid-April, is predicted by the BMKG to have reduced rainfall, with El Niño lasting until September. Therefore, the Jakarta Government will focus on conducting canal dredging and river normalisation,” said Pramono when met in Central Jakarta on Friday.

On Friday morning, Pramono inspected the dredging of the West Flood Canal in the segment from Manggarai Floodgate to Kyai Tapa Street (Roxy) in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta.

The dredging process is targeted for completion within one year. According to Pramono, the dredging is a strategic step to reduce flood risks in Jakarta.

The dredging work is divided into three segments: from Manggarai Floodgate to Karet Station spanning 3,543 metres, from Karet Station to Karet Floodgate spanning 686 metres, and from Karet Floodgate to Kyai Tapa Street (Roxy) spanning 3,850 metres.

Currently, the dredging is focused on the third segment spanning 3,850 metres, with a target volume of around 165,381 cubic metres.

In the future, the dredging results will be integrated with the river normalisation programme, particularly in the flow of the Ciliwung River and Krukut Canal.

Thus, the water flow to the sea is expected to be smoother, thereby suppressing the potential for flooding.

“If this succeeds, the water flow to the sea will be faster. The challenge is indeed during tidal surges, the water remains held back. However, this is part of our major efforts to control flooding,” Pramono explained.