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)