West Jakarta Water Resources Agency Explains Flooding Caused by Water Gate Construction

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta Water Resources Sub-Department states that the flooding in RW 06, Cengkareng Barat, due to the construction of the Kali Apuran water gate is a temporary impact from the Polder Pedongkelan project for flood control, which is currently being addressed.

“It is a water gate construction project, part of the Polder Pedongkelan project, downstream of Kali Apuran, so water from the Sumur Bor Connecting Channel (Phb) is diverted to Kali Mookervart. The implementing agency is the Water Resources Department,” said Acting Head of the West Jakarta Water Resources Sub-Department (Kasudin SDA), Mustajab, when confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday.

Mustajab explained that the water gate construction method requires workers to hold back part of the river flow to dry the area under the bridge.

“In terms of implementation, part of the river is temporarily dammed (kisdam) to carry out substructure construction, while the upstream flow is dewatered (pumped) at 1,000 lps (litres per second),” he said.

Nevertheless, Mustajab assured that his side is following up on the side effects of water overflow that are troubling residents around the project area.

“We are coordinating with the PPK (Commitment Making Officer),” he added.

Previously, residents of RW 06, Cengkareng Barat Sub-District, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, complained about flooding that has not subsided due to the water gate construction project in their area.

The flooding, reaching 10 to 20 centimetres (cm), has been experienced by residents for the past three weeks.

Head of RW 06, Cengkareng Barat Sub-District, Suroto in Jakarta on Sunday, said that his side supports the water gate construction project as a solution to flooding, but it cannot be denied that the construction, which requires damming the water channel, has caused several RTs in the area to be inundated.

Suroto revealed that the flooding worsens during heavy rain, such as on Saturday (1/5).

“That’s why residents are protesting, don’t let it flood. We are not obstructing the construction or ongoing work, but the important thing is that the impact does not affect the surrounding residents,” he said.

As an RW administrator, his side has reported this issue to the relevant parties so that it can be addressed immediately.