Governor praises E. Jakarta flood warning system

An early-warning system developed and used by residents of Bidara Cina subdistrict, East Jakarta, to inform the community about possible flooding from the nearby Ciliwung River, works well, the Jakarta governor says.

“Now, (Bidara Cina) residents can get information more quickly on water levels at Bogor’s Katulampa water gate [from which any potential floods in the Ciliwung can be detected],” Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said Thursday during a visit to several flood spots, including Bidara Cina.

Deputy subdistrict chief Ria Kristina said the system had helped residents prepare themselves.

“For example, we received a warning last night, saying the floods would reach [Bidara Cina] at 5 a.m. We passed on the announcement to residents by 3 a.m.,” she said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Six neighborhood units in the Bidara Cina area have been inundated since Saturday, with floodwater between 60 and 70 centimeters deep, Ria said.