Residents 'learning to live' with floods

Residents 'learning to live' with floods

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Having lived along the banks of the Ciliwung river almost her
whole life, Musriyati, 36, a resident of Rawa Jati, South Jakarta
has experienced every major flood in the area.

"Every year we learn more about our surroundings. We learn to
deal with floods as efficiently as possible," Musriyati told The
Jakarta Post after receiving flood and communication equipment
from Regional Representative Council (DPD) member Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja on Saturday.

Musriyati said that now people living along the riverbank do
not have to lose all their belongings during a flood as they have
understood what to do to minimize losses.

She said that the neighborhood had a quick information system
that flows from dam officials in Depok, subdistrict officials,
community and neighborhood units to households.

"When the river water is high, we will be told by officials in
subdistrict, community and neighborhood units. We can even call
officials at several dams to ask the water level. Usually, we
have two hours to prepare before the flood comes," Musriyati
said.

After being informed that a flood is coming, the residents
will put all of their belongings in a safe place.

They then set up temporary shelters and a public kitchen on
higher ground in the neighborhood.

"We already have a place in our neighborhood where we can make
temporary shelters and set up a public kitchen. We can also
receive food supplies and medicine from outsiders there,"
Musriyati said.

Other neighborhoods along the riverbank from Rawa Jati to
Kota, West Jakarta are also prepared to deal with floods.

Ita, 44, a resident of Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, said that
flooding was seen by most of residents in her neighborhood as a
normal occurrence that had to be dealt with.

"Although we know that we have to work hard, and even risk our
lives, we will be ready when the flood comes," she told the Post
during the hand over of aid from Sarwono for her neighborhood.

Musriyati and Ita both agreed that they would not move from
the riverbank if they had to pay for a new place.

"We have a lot to lose if we move. We have to pay for the new
places. I am also uncertain whether I can open new shops there,"
Musriyati, who has a small shop, said.

Sarwono, who along with several reporters, students, and
rescuers, traveled by raft along the river to meet residents
there, said, however, that residents should be reminded to stay
alert all year round.

"I just want people here to be more prepared to face the
floods. We need to remind you to be always on alert as the
climate is becoming unpredictable. We can't differentiate the wet
from the dry season anymore. So, floods can come at any time," he
told the residents.

Global Rescue Network chairman Freddy Sutrisno, who joined
Sarwono, advised people not to throw garbage into the river and
to call for help quickly when the need arose.

"Keep the river clean to minimize the possibility of flooding.
To make it easier for us to help people along the river, please
install lights above the roof of the house so that we can see
whenever we try to rescue people. Don't hesitate to call us. We
will distribute our number to you," he told residents.

Residents along the riverbank are blamed for the worsening
floods as they throw garbage into the rivers making them
shallower. The government has tried to relocate them from the
area but they cannot afford to provide alternative places that
the residents will agree to.

Flooding is an annual occurrence in Jakarta, with the worst
flood in recent history taking place in 2002, in which 31 people
died and around 300,000 people had to be evacuated.