The Jakarta Provincial Government says it is gearing up for flood as the capital, as well as many parts of the country, is heading into the peak of the rainy season.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicted that the peak of the rainy season throughout Indonesia will occur in the next 10 days and might last until February.
“[We need to stay] vigilant as heavy rainfall will occur until February,“ BMKG’s spokesperson Ardhasena Sopaheluw said in a press conference that was broadcasted live today.
Ardhasena said that torrential rain can potentially cause flooding in several regions, including a number of areas across Java island.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan posted on Instagram that the provincial government has prepared for any potential flood.
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“The Jakarta Provincial Government through its Water Resources Agency has prepared 487 stationary flood pumps that are scattered in 178 pump house locations,” Anies wrote in the caption, adding that other pump houses will still be operating alongside the ones mentioned.
Anies took an example of the Pluit pump house in North Jakarta’s Penjaringan district, which he said is one of Jakarta’s most important water control systems, as it controls the flow of water downstream into the city.
Dedi Supriadi, a member of Commission D at Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), which oversees the city’s development, reminded the provincial government to conduct flood prevention efforts given that the capital was inundated with floods around the same time in previous years.
These efforts include ensuring the operability of the city’s water flow system — such as pumps, monitoring devices for rainfall and water level — and also preparing shelters for flood victims. For the latter, Dedi said that the city’s Social and Health agencies should be extra attentive this time around.
“It’s necessary to anticipate as to not let shelters for flood victims turn into clusters for COVID-19 transmissions,” Dedi said.
Dedi’s statement was issued following BMKG’s early warning for potential rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds in Jakarta, which is expected to occur until Saturday.
