Katulampa revived as early flood warning post
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor
An automatic water-prediction post has been established at the Katulampa dam in Bogor as part of the rejuvenation project to prevent flooding in Jakarta.
The dam is the first check point of the water flow-rate and height in Ciliwung river, the longest among 11 rivers running through Jakarta, from its upper course in Puncak mountain resort.
Aside from the post, which functions also as an observation and early warning station, the project includes the renovation of a hanging bridge, the installment of a precipitation measuring cup and aesthetic developments in the surrounding areas. The cost of the project is Rp 300 million ($US35,294), funded by the West Java provincial budget.
According to the project manager from the water resources directorate general of the Ministry of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure, Wahyu Hartomo, if water reached the height of 240 centimeters above the dam's spillway and 270 cm at the Depok sluice gate, most likely water would overflow from the West Flood Canal in Jakarta.
With such conditions, the State and Merdeka Palaces in Central Jakarta could be flooded, he said.
During the 2002 floods, the palaces were inundated up to 25 cm after sluice gates in Manggarai were opened. The water receded after some Jakarta administration officers used portable water pumps to dry out the palaces.
West Java Governor Danny Setiawan, who inspected the facility on Thursday, said that President Megawati Soekarnoputri had called on him to coordinate with Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso to prepare for the possibility of floods.
"We must take comprehensive steps both in the upstream and downstream areas," he said as quoted by Antara.
The two provinces would work together in building a 100- hectare dam in Gadog village, Bogor, to reduce flooding, said Danny.
Wahyu elaborated, saying that the future dam would retain 16 million to 19 million cubic-meters of water to be used during the dry season. The land clearance (set to start this year) and contruction would cost approximately Rp 150 billion.
Danny criticized the Bogor regency administration for its feeble law enforcement resulting in the mushrooming villas in Puncak area and further destruction of water catchments and rivers' upstream areas.
"The Bogor regency administration grants building licenses too easily," he said. "The villas, particularly the illegal ones (whose owners) did not obtain a license, must be regulated."
The regency public order agency recorded in 2002 that of the 1,721 villas in Puncak, 840 were built illegally.
Many people have blamed the overdeveloped Puncak area for the annual flooding in Jakarta. The capital saw heavy downpour over the last few days and residents in several areas had to welcome in the new year equipped with buckets to remove water from their houses.
The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has forecast that rain will fall almost daily in January and February.