Jakarta Flooded as Rainfall Reaches Very High Levels, Says Pramono

Jakarta was hit by floods in several areas on Sunday (8/3) after extremely heavy rainfall drenched the capital and its hinterland from Saturday night, according to Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. He said rainfall in Jakarta and its surrounding areas recorded 264 millimetres per day, a figure categorised as extremely high. ‘Today in Jakarta and surrounding areas the rainfall is 264 mm per day. That is an extremely high rainfall,’ Pramono told reporters on Sunday (8/3). The provincial government moved to respond from Saturday night, primarily through the Water Resources Agency by activating pumps at multiple flood-prone points. ‘Since last night I have been coordinating with the ranks, especially Water Resources. In fact, from last night some spots have already been pumped,’ he added.

Pramono explained that the rainfall was not only in Jakarta but also upstream in Bogor and Tangerang, which could boost water discharge into the capital. ‘Because rainfall is high in both Bogor and Tangerang, water will flow into Jakarta,’ he said.

To anticipate widening inundation, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has deployed around 1,200 pumps, including portable pumps placed at several flood-prone areas. He cited Daan Mogot and DI Panjaitan, which have long been flood hotspots, as being subjected to intensive pumping. ‘Approximately 1,200 pumps have been prepared, including portable pumps in several areas that are often problematic, such as Daan Mogot and DI Panjaitan. Fortunately, pumping has continued at these two spots so that traffic can continue to operate despite some flooding,’ he said.

In addition, field teams and equipment were mobilised to accelerate drainage and to set up posts for residents affected by floods. Pramono added that the Jakarta Provincial Government has long pursued flood control measures, including river normalisation. ‘The DKI Jakarta government has carried out normalisation on three rivers: Ciliwung, Cakung Lama, and Krukut. We hope that Cakung Lama will be completed by 2027 and that this will reduce flooding in Jakarta,’ he said.

Nevertheless, he stressed that floods in Jakarta cannot be completely eliminated due to the capital’s geography, with parts of the city lying below sea level. ‘If flooding were to be eliminated entirely in Jakarta, that would be impossible, because sea levels are now higher than the ground level in Jakarta,’ he said.

Urban planning observer Yayat Supriyanta said the floods in Jakarta did not arise solely from heavy rainfall but also reflected weaknesses in the flood-control system. The recurring floods prompted scrutiny over the limited amount of green open space in the capital. This compilation of concerns underscores ongoing discussions about flood management, urban planning, and infrastructure improvements aimed at mitigating flood risk.