Residents Await Pramono-Rano's Breakthrough to Overcome Floods

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Residents are awaiting breakthroughs from Pramono Anung and Rano Karno in flood control in Jakarta. Those living along riverbanks hope to benefit from normalization efforts.

Heavy rains that poured over Jakarta and its surrounding areas since Sunday night (2/3/2025) caused the Ciliwung River to overflow. As a result, by Monday (3/3/2025) afternoon, 57 neighborhood units (RT) in South Jakarta and East Jakarta were flooded with water levels ranging from 30 centimeters to 3 meters.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of DKI Jakarta reported that 18 neighborhood units (RT) were submerged in South Jakarta. Rawajati was the worst-affected area, with flooding reaching a height of 3 meters.

Other areas, namely Pejaten Timur, Kebon Baru, Pengadegan, and Tanjung Barat, were flooded with water levels ranging from 30 cm to 1.4 meters.

Minharudi (43), a resident of RT 05 RW 08 Pejaten Timur, evacuated to a higher area along with other residents. Prior to that, they had secured valuable belongings in the attic of their homes.

"We want a solution to address the flooding. Because ever since living here since 2001, it has always flooded. Until now, there has been no definite solution," said Minharudi.

This residential area is close to the Ciliwung River. Some residents sought refuge on the second floor of their homes, while others moved to higher areas, such as main roads.

The condition of residents affected by flooding in East Jakarta is not much different. There are 39 neighborhood units inundated, with water levels in Cawang reaching up to 3 meters.

Other areas in Kampung Melayu, Bidara Cina, Balekambang, Cililitan, and Gedong were also affected with water levels ranging from 30 cm to 2.6 meters.

The DKI Jakarta BPBD recorded that 217 residents fled to SDN Kampung Melayu 01/02, the RW 011 secretariat office, the sub-district hall, prayer room, and shophouses on the side of the road.

Head of RT 13 RW 04 Kampung Melayu, Sanusi hopes that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will normalize the flow of the Ciliwung River near the residential area. They are ready to follow the process, including the opportunity to relocate to flats.

"We just ask for it to be normalized. So that it can reduce flooding. We are willing to be subject to land acquisition or relocation because we are tired of dealing with flooding," said Sanusi.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno inspected the floods in Kampung Melayu and Bidara Cina on Monday morning. Then, he and his entourage saw the Ciliwung Canal.

Rano said that flood control is one of the focuses of the transition team. In the initial stage, dredging of rivers and reservoirs has begun to increase capacity so that water does not overflow into residential areas.

After the review, the party will hold a coordination meeting with relevant stakeholders to discuss steps that can be taken in the short term.

"We also invited BMKG so that they can understand. Work must use methods, not feelings. So we must understand what will happen. For example, how much rainfall will there be this week. So it can be anticipated," said Rano.

According to Rano, ideally the Ciliwung River should be normalized. Because, in the past, its width could reach 50 meters. However, it takes a long time and cooperation between the central government and local governments.

"I offered relocation to flats while fixing the flooded area. In Jagakarsa there are three towers. Some are willing," said Rano.

Separately, Member of Commission A of the Jakarta DPRD William Aditya Sarana suggested the Jakarta Provincial Government and the central government to continue the weather modification operations that have been carried out in Jakarta and its surroundings. Then, improve coordination with the Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, and Cianjur areas for flood mitigation.

"Especially Bogor, we must be more intensive in finding out what the provincial government can do or help with control there so that flooding does not occur in Jakarta," said William.