'Flood mitigation is main priority'

'Flood mitigation is main priority'

Floods have largely receded in Jakarta and people displaced by
the floods have returned to their houses. Fear of further floods,
however, remains as the city administration is still struggling
to find solutions to the annual phenomenon. The Jakarta Post
interviewed several residents on what they thought about the city
administration's efforts to mitigate floods in the capital.

Anton, 26, is a computer consultant for restaurants. His
family sold their house in Pluit, North Jakarta due to the 2002
floods and he currently lives in an apartment in Central Jakarta.

We really wanted to continue living in Pluit. I have so many
good memories of that house because I grew up there. We even
renovated the house and made it higher, but the floods continued.
Every time it rained I got nervous and couldn't sleep. It was
hell.

In 2002 it reached shoulder-level, that's when we finally had
enough and decided to move. My father's deteriorating health was
also a factor. It was very tough on him when it flooded as he had
limited mobility.

The floods are predictable and an annual occurrence. The human
and financial losses are huge. It does not make any sense. I feel
ashamed as a Jakarta resident to see the city flooded.

Governor Sutiyoso and the city administration should make
flood-mitigation their main priority. Why are they wasting money
on new statues and fencing Monas? They should fix what needs
fixing first.

Jakarta needs a strong leader. Somebody should stand up and
solve this problem even if it means doing what is unpopular.

Eddy, 28, is an animator who lives with his family in Menteng,
Central Jakarta.

To be honest, our house has not experienced any flooding. When
it floods I avoid traveling as much as possible. I do not want to
be stuck in traffic jams.

However, it seems that the floods are getting worse every
year. In the early 1990s it seemed that the highest level was one
meter, then it became two meters, and now it can reach three to
four meters, which is unheard of. It makes me scared.

When the streets are flooded, walking becomes dangerous. You
can't see what is underneath all that dirty water. I don't know
what I might step into, it could be a hole or the gutter, or I
might even step on a nail.

The floods happen partly due to mismanagement of the flood
gates. The Jakarta city planning is not good at all. The city
government only reacts when floods occur, but they have yet to
find a permanent solution.