'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.