The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned that floods may affect Jakarta until March next year.
"Rainfalls will reach a peak in January and February and will begin to subside in March. During these months, Jakarta's rivers will rise and possibly will flow onto the streets," Basuki, head of BKMG's agro climate and maritime climate division, said Saturday.
Traffic jams caused by flooded roads would not be a problem if the city's drainage system worked properly, he added.
Basuki forecast that rainfalls in January and February next year could reach high intensity - or more than 300 millimeters per month.
"This month and next month, moderate rains accompanied by lightning and strong winds will occur for about two hours on a daily basis. In January and February *we forecast* there will be heavy rainfalls that could last all day long."
This month, rains will likely occur in short bursts between 3 and 8 p.m. and could cause traffic jams affecting commuters, Basuki said.
He also reminded street users to keep away from trees and billboards during storms.
"Trees and billboards often collapse in strong winds, and can also be struck by lightning."
The agency named 19 districts at moderate risk of flooding in December.
Next January, districts in West Jakarta (Cengkareng, Grogol and Petamburan), Central Jakarta (Gambir), South Jakarta (Kebayoran Baru, Mampang Prapatan, Pasar Minggu and Tebet), East Jakarta (Cakung, Cipayung, Ciracas, Kramat Jati and Makassar), and North Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) will be at high risk of floods. Another 20 districts will be at moderate risk .
For more information, see iklim.bmg.go.id/potensibanjir.htm.
In Bogor, Katulampa flood observation post has reported that its digital device for measuring water depths in the Ciliwung River was destroyed recently when the building it was in collapsed into the river recently. The device was owned by the Jakarta Public Works Agency.
"It could automatically send water depth information to the Jakarta Public Works Agency computers," said Andi Sudirman, an officer at the observation post.
The device was installed in a 5-meter-tall building beside the river, 1 kilometer from Katulampa dam.
The building and the device, constructed in 2007, fell into the river on Wednesday evening when water levels reached 120 centimeters.
"Thankfully, no part of the dam was damaged that day," Andi said.
The building started to collapse after an earthquake in September .
"We reported the situation to the Jakarta Public Works Agency, but the building was inundated before it could be repaired," Andi said.
"The flood post at Katulampa never received data from the device. However, the missing device has not affected our work. We can measure the water height using manual measurement tools and send the information to Jakarta via radio," he said.
At 6 p.m. Saturday, the water height at Katulampa was only 40 centimeters deep, Andi said.
As the city faces flooding annually, the Jakarta Natural Disaster Management Board (Satkorlak) has made preparations.
"We have been informed by the BMKG about flood-prone areas and are preparing goods and tools for flood emergency response," said Iskandar, an employee of the Satkorlak crisis center, adding that residents in flood-prone areas had been warned.
"The residents there have often faced floods and have made their own preparations," he said.
Satkorlak has about 7,000 members comprising city security officers (Satpol PP), Iskandar said.
It also has 200 rubber boats that were distributed to emergency posts across the city, he said.
"One district usually only has two boats. We are still checking whether the boats are still in good working order or need to be repaired."
Since the end of October the board has been asking the Jakarta Health Agency to prepare medicine for its emergency flood response programs, Iskandar said.
"They have not given us any news about the medicine. Maybe they are still making internal arrangements." (mrs)
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|