West Jakarta City Government installs gabion barriers after Kali Angke embankment collapse

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jakbar) has installed gabions or stone cage barriers as a rapid response after the collapse of the Kali Angke embankment in the Jalan Carirna Sayang area, Rawa Buaya, Cengkareng. West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah stated that the measure was taken to stabilise the soil contour and prevent subsequent landslides. “We hope it won’t take too long because it’s the rainy season, which is risky. So we hope it will be completed in a week,” Iin said during her inspection of the site on Thursday. According to Iin, the embankment collapse was triggered by abrasion and the river’s sheet pile wall, which was not strong enough to withstand the load due to buildings constructed on top of it. Due to the burden of buildings along the riverbank, the soil contour at the embankment became unstable and led to a landslide. Therefore, the city government will follow up on the existence of buildings standing along the river’s side. She also plans to tidy up the area to suit its function. “We will communicate that no buildings are allowed along the river side or sheet pile. Later, we will tidy it up and plant Tabebuya trees here,” she said. Meanwhile, Wastono, representative of the Ciliwung Cisadane River Basin Authority (BBWSCC), stated that the installation of gabions depends on the availability of materials such as stones and other supporting materials. “The estimated work will be carried out in collaboration with colleagues from the Water Resources Agency and BBWSCC,” Wastono said. At the site, the sheet pile boundary wall, approximately 10 metres long, has now fallen into the river flow. As a result, the riverbank has also collapsed into the stream. In the river flow, several household items such as sofas, house rubble, and piles of rubbish can be seen. Meanwhile, personnel from the West Jakarta Water Resources Sub-Department are carrying out cleaning of the area and embankment repairs.