Trace of Changes in Ciputat River Flow, Floods Continue to Haunt Pondok Aren in Tangsel

SOUTH TANGERANG, KOMPAS.com — The flow of the Ciputat River in the Bintaro area, South Tangerang City, is suspected to have experienced a change in its course and no longer flows normally. This condition is said to be one of the factors aggravating flooding in the Pondok Aren region, particularly in the Maharta area and its surroundings. The river, which previously bisected several points including the area now occupied by Bintaro XChange, is no longer functioning as it should. One of the flow paths is even suspected to have been “dead” for more than a decade. Pansus Chairman Ahmad Syawqi stated that the river flow, which should pass through several points, is now no longer moving as it ought to. “The flow (of the river) should pass through the area that is now a mall (Bintaro XChange) and cross the station area, but (now) the flow is not moving,” said Syawqi. He explained that the Ciputat River originally has two flow paths. However, currently, one of those flows is suspected to no longer function due to changes that occurred around 2011. “There used to be two flows, now one of them is like dead. The flow has been diverted towards Pondok Aren,” he said. Based on Kompas.com’s investigation, the flow that was previously straight is now suspected to have turned towards the Pondok Aren area. The river’s condition also appears not to flow strongly, with water that is starting to turn black. Although it does not have a pungent odour, this condition indicates a decline in environmental quality around the river flow. “That’s Maharta and its surroundings also flood. That’s the effect on northern Pondok Aren, because that’s the Ciputat River flow,” said Syawqi. According to him, when rainfall is high, the water discharge that should be divided into two paths is now concentrated on just one flow. As a result, the river’s capacity becomes suboptimal and triggers pooling in residents’ settlements. “The effect is certain, high water discharge if rainfall is high,” he added.