Widespread flooding is imminent, official warns

Widespread flooding is imminent, official warns

JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans should prepare for more severe
flooding during this year's wet season as preliminary data has
revealed a jump in the number of flood-prone areas, from 82 last
year to a predicted 100, an official said yesterday.

"Flooding will be widespread in the approaching rainy season,
basically because of the rapid growth in development projects
during the dry season," Toha Reno, head of the city's order and
entertainment subdivision office, said.

The drainage systems at development projects were frequently
inadequate, he said.

"Many developers just build their projects, ranging from high-
rise buildings to roads, without thinking about adequate water
runoff. They just don't care about how to prevent flooding during
the rainy season."

The areas near Cempaka Putih, Kemayoran, Sumur Batu and
Serdang in Central Jakarta, for example, are likely to suffer
from flooding next January simply because so much land there has
been converted into high-rise buildings.

"The land surface around the buildings is higher than the
nearby roads but it is not equipped with sufficient drainage
systems," he said.

The elevation of the road surface near the Cempaka Mas
building, for instance, has caused water to flow into low-lying
areas in several housing complexes -- such as Cempaka Putih,
Sumur Batu and Serdang -- and Jakarta Military Command, Toha
said.

"Therefore, unlike in previous years, Cempaka Putih is now
prone to flooding."

There are also two rivers passing through Cempaka Putih --
Kali Cabang Sentiong and Kali Kramat -- which have turned into
shallow trickles during the dry season.

"Therefore I urge the officials in related areas to conduct
river quarrying to ensure water runs off smoothly," Toha said.

Based on the 1996 flood map projections from the city's public
order office, there are 82 areas which are almost always affected
by flooding.

In Central Jakarta, Mangga Besar, Teluk Gong, Kali Beton,
Jembatan Ilir, Taman Kota, Sabang, Palmerah and Pangeran
Jayakarta are among the areas affected. In South Jakarta:
Ulujami, Hang Lekir, Cipulir, Ciledug, Bintaro, Tebet and Pasar
Minggu.

In North Jakarta the flood-prone areas include: Bunderan
Pluit, Sunter Jaya, Kapuk Muara, Donggala, Pademangan. In East
Jakarta: Sunter Halim, Kebon Pala, Cawang, Dewi Sartika,
Cipinang, Kampung Melayu, Jatinegara and Kelapa Gading. In West
Jakarta: Kali Deres, Meruya Ilir, Budi Mulia, Gajah Mada and
Hayam Wuruk.

"There is no way to avoid the flood if we just sit and wait
for the rain to fall. Every member of the community must be
prepared for it," he said.

According to Toha, the city has prepared several flood posts
in the five mayoralties and every subdistrict which is flood-
prone.

"The headquarters for the flood posts is located in the city's
public order office. People could ring 3823412 or fax us at
3822212."

Governor Sutiyoso has urged the city's five mayoralties to
start flood prevention initiatives before the wet season starts.

He also told subordinates to clear the river banks of illegal
residents who have erected shacks there because the areas are
considered dangerous.

"Jakartans must prepare themselves by cleaning the gutters and
rivers in their own neighborhoods," he said.

Flooding early this year -- the worst to hit the capital since
1976 -- was recorded in all city mayoralties.

Flood waters even inundated some areas, including Jl. Thamrin
and Jl. Sudirman, which have not been affected for many years.

According to official data, at least 22 people were killed in
the floods and thousands were forced to flee their homes. (07)