Palembang City Government Prepares Flood Task Forces at District Level

Palembang Mayor Ratu Dewa stated that heavy rains lashing the area have triggered flooding in various locations. Some affected sites are areas that have previously often experienced flooding. “As mayor, I will not evade this. The flood issue is my full responsibility. I fully understand its impact on the community—affected homes, disrupted activities, and daily hardships,” she said in a written statement on Thursday (30/4/2026). Dewa explained that flooding is triggered by two main factors: natural and human-induced. She highlighted the ongoing habit of littering, which clogs waterways, as well as development that disregards riverbank and road setback regulations. “That’s why there are several causes, both natural and from human behaviour itself. The human ones, we all know and understand, such as not littering indiscriminately because it causes blockages in water flow,” she added. For short-term handling, Palembang City Government is focusing on quick actions to reduce the impact of inundation. These efforts include routine cleaning of waterways from sediment and rubbish, adding portable pumps at flood-prone points, and forming flood task forces at the district level involving government apparatus, community figures, and religious leaders. Additionally, Dewa personally inspected several flood points, including Jalan Kolonel H Burlian, to ensure optimal handling. Meanwhile, for medium- and long-term, the City Government is preparing several strategic programmes to be implemented in 2026. Among them is the expansion of retention ponds, including in the Simpang Polda Sumsel area to address flooding in three districts: Ilir Timur I, Ilir Timur III, and Kemuning. “Then, normalisation and arrangement of the Bendung River Basin Area (DAS) will be carried out to address narrowing water flow. We are also promoting mapping and enhancement of Green Open Spaces (RTH) to increase water absorption capacity, as well as planning the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology for real-time drainage monitoring,” Dewa explained. Currently, Dewa and her team continue to inspect several protocol roads severely affected by flooding. They are also tracing water flows to identify the main causes of the flooding. Dewa invited the entire community to jointly maintain the environment and support city improvements for a better future. “Certainly, I take responsibility, I work, and I will continue to strive so that this flood issue can be addressed gradually for the good of us all,” she concluded.