Jakarta Will Be Free of Floods by 2022: Deputy Governor
Jakarta. Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat is optimistic that the current five-year flooding cycle will end this year, after observing that the recent flooding did not cause severe problems like in 2012.
He said the capital may be free from flooding by 2022 if the provincial and central government remain consistent in normalizing rivers in Jakarta, such as the Ciliwung, Cisadane, Krukut, Kalimalang and Sunter.
"Jakarta may be free from flooding within the next five years," Djarot said after inspecting the Karet floodgate in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/02).
"If we are consistent in normalizing the rivers, [Jakarta] would be free [of floods]. Although the normalization process has yet to be completed, the number of flood-prone areas in the capital has been reduced significantly," he added.
Djarot said river normalization would not proceed smoothly without the cooperation of people living along riverbanks.
He said these residents must be willing to relocate to state-funded apartments, or if they legally own the land, they must sell it to the provincial administration.
"The duty of the Jakarta administration is to procure land. As long as the riverbanks are not clear of structures, normalization will not happen," Djarot said.
Less Flooding in East Jakarta
Cipinang Muara and Cipinang Melayu in East Jakarta, which always experience heavy flooding during the five-year cycle, have been inundated on a smaller scale so far this year, compared to 2002, 2007 and 2012.
The Eastern Flood Canal (BKT) will be built in this area.
"The normalization of the Sunter River is yet to be completed, as is the Ciliwung River. These are included in the BKT. If [the normalization] is accelerated, [flooding] will automatically be reduced if the water is directed to the BKT," Djarot said.
There were around 2,200 unmanaged flood-prone areas in Jakarta in 2012, which paralyzed the capital when it was hit by flooding at the time.
"This year, we saw improvements compared to 2012. We can see it from fewer flooded areas, shorter inundation periods and fewer people having to be evacuated, as well as the height of the water that flooded the streets or housing complexes," Djarot said.
The Jakarta administration initiated the river normalization plan under the leadership of now-President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who was his deputy at the time.
Ahok has continued the program after he was inaugurated as governor to replace Jokowi in 2014.
As a result, the number of flood-prone areas in Jakarta have been reduced to only 400 by 2016.
Only 80 areas have experienced recurring flooding so far this year.
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