Imminent Jakarta Floods Predicted as Rain Nears Capital on Friday

The Jakarta Globe, January 17 2014,


Jakarta remained on an official state of alert on Friday as meteorologists warned that the worst of the rain was yet to come and authorities documented the highest water levels at a key flood gate recorded this year.

“There is the potential for heavy rain showers and they probably have not reached their peak.” said Mulyono Prabowo, the head of the the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BKMG).

The rainy season arrived in earnest in Jakarta on Jan. 12. Sustained downpours in the city and in the outlying valleys on Sunday and Monday inundated flood-prone neighborhoods in the basin of the Greater Metropolitan Area. More than 25,000 people were evacuated from their homes by Monday afternoon.

Residents in North Jakarta woke up to increased water levels on Friday — Mangga Dua and Kelapa Gading were under up to 60 and 100 centimeters of water, respectively, on Friday afternoon — while the outlook for East Jakartans was predicted to go from bad to worse.

Jatinegara recorded water levels of 150 centimeters, while the nearby ward of Kampung Melayu was under 120 centimeters of water on Monday. Water levels in the eastern district were slightly improved by today, but forecasters and engineers warned that this situation could worsen significantly on Friday evening as water at the Katulampa flood gate, in the city’s southern fringe, reached 170 centimeters at 12 p.m. The normal water level is 40 centimeters.

A 200 centimeter recording would prompt a state of emergency.

City authorities are nervous.

BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the volume of water in the Ciliwung River, which flows through the Katulampa gate, increased the likelihood of flooding on both sides of the river on Friday evening.

“We advise people who live in the regions with potential for flooding to remain on alert,” he said at lunch time on Friday. “We predict the flood will come in the next six hours.”

At-risk areas on Friday going into the weekend included Rawajati, Kalibata, Pengadegan, Cawang, Kebon Baru, Bukit Duri, Bidara Cina, all in South Jakarta — and Kampung Melayu in East Jakarta.

The atmosphere was not helped by the circulation of an SMS text message purported to be from Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama warning people of impending disaster. The hoax message called on people in Central Jakarta to take refuge as the city would soon open the Ciliwing reservoir to relieve pressure.

The message said people in Thamrin, Sudirman, Pengadegan and Gatot Subroto should expect those areas to be flooded four hours after the release.

Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo called on City authorities to prepare for any eventuality.

“We are prepared after receiving the information,” he said. “Whatever happens, we should manage it well. Don’t delay in evacuating or providing aid: All officials should anticipate it and all institutions should be ready with personnel and other facilities in the flood-prone regions.”

All hands on deck

Police seconded all available officers to maintain security and oversee evacuations in flooded parts of the city.

National Police Chief, Gen. Sutarman said on Friday that the police had all hands to the pumps.

“All that we have, we have given to the public in order to help and guard residents who left their houses,” Sutarman said on Friday. “Personnel are also guarding those in evacuation camps.”

Many commuters struggled to reach work, as extra officers worked to unblock traffic jams in key thoroughfares while floods rendered much of the city’s already limited public transport network unusable.

The train line at Kampung Bandan station was submerged on Friday, blocking train access to Jatinegara.

“Trains from Bogor to Jatinegara can only reach Station Duri.” said Eva Chairunisa, a spokeswoman at the state-run train operator. It is understood that the line was later reopened late Friday afternoon.

Weathering the storm

“We’re used to it,” said Aisha Nabila, 21, a resident of Ciledug. “My family has anticipated the water by putting our stuff on the second floor. It’s our home. We can’t just leave like that.”

Elisa Ratna, who lives in Kelapa Gading, an area that floods every rainy season, said water levels were not yet as bad as last year, but all access to the complex had was closed off by knee-high water.

“It’s actually better than last year,” she said. “There were tents for evacuation in 2013: this year, we are just staying at home and waiting.”

Volunteer groups said they were doing what they could to help people whose neighborhoods had been affected.

Nanda Julistya from UI Peduli, a mitigation agency of University of Indonesia (UI), said more resources were needed to help flood victims.

“We have sent three rescue teams directly to Bidara Cina, Ciledug, Kali Sari, Cipinang Melayu, and Condet to help evacuate and to bring logistics,” Nanda said. “We still need a lot of things, especially logistics for babies and women.”



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