Investigating Flood Causes in Tangsel's Ciputat River

TANGERANG SELATAN, KOMPAS.com - Efforts to identify the causes of recurring floods in several areas of Tangerang Selatan saw hundreds of volunteers, residents, and government representatives surveying the Ciputat River over a four-kilometre stretch on Sunday (31 May 2026). The survey covered the river’s path through Pondok Payung Mas and Nerada Estate residential areas. Around 200 volunteers waded into the river without boats to assess water flow and remove debris such as plastic waste, branches, tree trunks, and other materials obstructing the current. The inspection has reignited concerns over alleged alterations to the Ciputat River’s course, which have recently drawn attention from Tangerang Selatan’s Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and the Ministry of Public Works (PU). Wearing boots and life jackets, volunteers collected debris, directing it into nets placed at two different points. ‘One net is at Pondok Payung Mas, the other in Ciputat at Pondok Hijau residential area,’ said Cipayung Village Head Dini Nurlianti. ‘The initiative was started by RT and RW in Cipayung due to frequent flooding in our area. We wanted to inspect the river directly to see if there were obstacles causing poor water flow,’ Dini explained. Initiator Nia stated that survey findings would be documented and analysed before being submitted to the Tangerang Selatan City Government for river management evaluation. ‘We also aim to preserve the river’s natural habitat. Once data is gathered, we can assist the government in determining the best course of action. Currently, we’re still collecting data and clearing debris,’ Nia added. Amid efforts to investigate flood causes through physical river conditions, the DPRD Tangerang Selatan previously identified suspected changes in the Ciputat River’s course during a field inspection related to spatial planning and flood control in April 2026. Ahmad Syawqi, Chairman of the DPRD Tangerang Selatan’s Special Committee on the Regional Spatial Plan Bill (Raperda RTRW), said the altered river flow is believed to have increased flood risks in Pondok Aren, particularly in Maharta and surrounding areas.