Jakarta floods

Jakarta floods

From Jayakarta

Another big flood in Jakarta within one month. This time (Feb.
10) the water also inundated those neighborhoods usually exempt
from floods, including the central business district of Jalan
Thamrin.

Last month's flood was due to the overflowing of the Ciliwung
River. Yesterday's flood was caused by rains from Friday to
Saturday. We must bear in mind that the rains were incessant but
were actually not very heavy.

This time Jakartans cannot blame Bogorians for "sending" their
river water to the capital. The Jakartans have only to blame
themselves for the disaster.

A superficial observation as to the cause of the flood seems
to readily give the answer: Most of the capital city's drains are
inadequate and nearly the whole surface of Jakarta is covered
with cement, concrete and asphalt. Water catchment areas have
become rare. Road construction does not take drains into account.

I happen to live in an area with many trees and meadows. The
rains from Friday through Saturday were a blessing as they added
luster to nature's beauty. Nevertheless, my thoughts wandered to
the urban areas. The architects of high-rise buildings, smoothly
paved highways and beautiful housing complexes do not seem to
have included a proper water disposal system in their design.

Before Jakarta is hit by another flood I think it is not too
late to build proper drainage systems, to take care of water
catchment areas and to plant as many trees as possible.

Many natural catastrophes cannot be prevented by man, but many
other disasters occur as a result of human behavior.

RAHMANINGSIH

South Jakarta