Jakarta's Preparations to Anticipate Flooding Due to Extreme Weather

The Jakarta Water Resources Agency (SDA) is enhancing its readiness to face the potential for flooding due to extreme weather. These steps are being taken through the preparation of stationary and mobile pumps, the acceleration of dredging in rivers, canals, reservoirs, ponds, and retention basins, as well as the operation of the polder system.

Head of the Jakarta SDA Agency, Ika Agustin Ningrum, stated that her team is ensuring all flood control devices function optimally before, during, and after heavy rain. “Flood handling must be quick and precise, as pooling can occur within hours,” she said in an official statement quoted on Friday, 27 March 2026.

Up to mid-March 2026, the SDA Agency has prepared 668 stationary pump units spread across 243 locations. There are 537 mobile pump units available to reach pooling points not served by stationary pumps. In addition, water gates in several rivers and canals are being maximised to operate during pre-flood and flood conditions.

To increase drainage capacity, the SDA Agency is accelerating the dredging of water bodies. Since 2 January 2026, the dredging volume in the five administrative city areas has reached 123,393 cubic metres. Dredging is carried out using 260 excavator units and 465 dump trucks. Throughout 2025, the total dredging volume recorded was 919,173 cubic metres.

In addition to dredging and pump preparation, the Agency has mobilised the Task Force (Satgas) or Blue Force. This team is responsible for monitoring field conditions, supporting pump operations, and ensuring that pooling can be handled quickly. Ika added that the Blue Force also conducts routine patrols to anticipate vulnerable pooling points.

These measures are being implemented because several areas in Jakarta remain prone to pooling during high-intensity rain, particularly in West Jakarta, South Jakarta, and East Jakarta. The SDA Agency emphasises continuous monitoring, including checks on the capacity of reservoirs and ponds, to keep water flow smooth and prevent pooling from spreading.

One such incident occurred recently, where 46 neighbourhood units (RT) were affected by flooding in East Jakarta on Sunday, 22 March 2026. The flooding happened after heavy rain lashed the Jakarta area and surroundings since Saturday, 21 March 2026, which triggered overflows in several rivers, such as the Cipinang River, Cilangkap River, and Sunter River.