Clogged sewerage is not a new phenomenon during the rainy season. The Jakarta administration  and the Public Works  Ministry should not blame clogged sewerage on the weather but should find a solution to overcome this problem.

During the 1970s, the Jakarta governor at that time always requested that all Jakarta citizens — and this was aired by TV channels and amateur radio stations — clear plastic garbage, especially bags from drainage systems, sewerage, canals and ditches.

He issued instructions to district heads, regional heads and managements of housing compounds to aid the Jakarta municipality before the rainy season was in full swing.

This did not solve the flood problem but at least it helped overcome severe flooding. Garbage is the main problem and Jakarta citizens should be educated not to throw plastic garbage in sewers and drainage systems.

The city administration can do this by distributing leaflets, asking the media to help and placing  additional garbage bins in all city districts.

By educating its citizens from kindergarten, a lot of misery can be avoided. Additional drainage systems and flood canals should be constructed as soon as possible.

Lynna van der Zee-Oehmke

Bogor, West Java

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