West Jakarta implements special flood mitigation for 36 flood-prone sub-districts

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta city government is implementing special mitigation measures for 36 flood-prone sub-districts to address the potential for extreme weather and tidal surges expected in the coming days.

West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah stated that these 36 sub-districts, including Rawa Buaya, Kapuk, Tegal Alur, Duri Kosambi, Jelambar, and Kembangan Selatan, among others, recorded the highest inundations during the most recent flooding incident.

“The current situation does indeed include information from the BMKG that rainfall will decrease in five regions. In West Jakarta itself, there is potential impact from tidal water, which is a concern for us,” Iin said when contacted in Jakarta on Friday.

Iin noted that her administration, through the Water Resources Sub-Department (SDA), has conducted direct interventions at critical points across five districts, starting with massive sediment clearance and channel dredging to ensure smooth flow towards the estuary.

Additionally, efforts are underway to regulate illegal buildings over waterways that could impede water flow and cause pooling.

“Then there are buildings that we see located near rivers and channels, especially those blocking the channels; these are a concern for us. So we hope there will be no more buildings over the channels as they obstruct the water,” she said.

She recalled that during the major flood on 22 January, 36 sub-districts in five districts of West Jakarta were affected. Therefore, these locations are now prioritised for handling.

“During the 22 January flood, nearly 36 sub-districts were impacted. Interventions or re-checks must be carried out on the locations affected previously to ensure such incidents do not recur there,” she added.

In addition, the former Head of the DKI Jakarta PPAPP Department emphasised the importance of precise traffic engineering to prevent residents’ mobility from being paralysed during inundations.

According to Iin, this is necessary to avoid traffic congestion when water floods main roads.

“This needs to be reconsidered. When an incident occurs, we must implement precise traffic engineering so that road users are not trapped in flood conditions on the roads,” she concluded.