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.