Flooding in West Jakarta's Kembangan Worsens, Residents Highlight Nearby Apartment Project

JAKARTA — Residents of Kembangan in West Jakarta claim that the flooding on Tuesday (5/5/2026) has been exacerbated by a construction project on the side of Jalan Outer Ring Road (JORR). Observations at the site show that the project area is right next to the flooding point. From the flooded road, a expanse of fill soil about one metre high is visible. The project is said to be an apartment development on swamp land that previously served as a water retention area. “This (flooding) is because of this; ever since the excavation started, there’s an apartment project here,” said Wiwik, a resident of RT 01 RW 01 Kembangan, when met at the location on Tuesday. According to Wiwik, flooding in the Jalan Outer Ring Road and South Kembangan areas has actually been frequent. “In the past, it only happened every five years, and it wasn’t severe. It was occasional, not every rain. But now it’s flooding even without rain; who knows where the water is coming from,” she said. She added that her house, not far from the site, had even been inundated to a considerable height. “My house is also flooded; it’s not just ankle-deep anymore, now it’s up to the knees, yesterday it was up to the chest,” she stated. “This area (pointing to the project site) should be a pathway for water to flow. But now the water can’t be contained and ends up on the roads and in homes,” said Ahmad. In response to residents’ complaints about the filling of swamp land, the Acting Head of the West Jakarta Water Resources Sub-Department, Mustajab, assured that his office would inspect the project. He explained that every developer has obligations in water management, including providing blue open spaces.