Two Rivers in Kendari Normalised Ahead of International Forum

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is carrying out the normalisation of two rivers in Kendari City, South East Sulawesi Province (Sultra). This forms part of infrastructure enhancements ahead of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) international forum, scheduled from 7 May 2026 to 9 May 2026. Support for these enhancements is provided through river management, urban drainage improvements, and strengthening flood control systems. The objectives are to enhance urban environmental quality, facilitate smoother mobility for residents, and ensure city comfort during the forum’s hosting. Throughout April 2026, the Ministry of PU, via the Sulawesi IV Kendari River Basin Centre (BWS), will conduct normalisation of the Korumba River and Mandonga River in Mandonga Subdistrict. This activity follows directives from Minister of PU Dody Hanggodo to begin river handling from the estuary to ensure smooth water flow from upstream to downstream and minimise pooling risks. Normalisation involves dredging sediment and deepening river channels to increase capacity and smooth water flow. On the Korumba River, work will cover 650 metres with a treatment width of 13 metres. Meanwhile, normalisation of the Mandonga River will span 900 metres with a width of 12 metres. In addition to short-term measures, the Ministry of PU is preparing the construction of main urban drainage on three priority corridors in Kendari City. The locations are in the Korumba River area spanning 2 kilometres, Bonggoeya River spanning 4.5 kilometres, and the Polresta–Wanggu River corridor spanning 1.7 kilometres. The drainage system construction is designed through collaboration between BWS Sulawesi IV Kendari and Kendari City Government. In 2026, activities will focus on completing land acquisition and design preparation, with construction planned to begin the following year. In the medium term, the Ministry of PU also plans to build the Nanga-Nanga Retention Pond in Baruga Ward, Baruga Subdistrict, Kendari City, during 2027–2029. The retention pond is projected to reduce flooding in Kendari City by up to 54.14 per cent, or 141.67 cubic metres per second. Besides serving as flood control, the area is also designed as a water conservation zone, enhancing infiltration, maintaining water quality, and providing public open spaces for sports and recreation. Through these phased infrastructure enhancements, the Ministry of PU hopes Kendari will be increasingly ready to host UCLG ASPAC 2026 while gaining long-term benefits in the form of a more organised, comfortable, and flood-resilient urban area.