Canal has reduced flooding in E. Jakarta, says Fauzi

The half-finished East Jakarta Flood Canal has already been successful, claims Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo.

The frequency of flooding in East Jakarta had been reduced significantly with the construction of the canal, Fauzi said Monday.

“Before the canal was there it took 72 hours for floods to subside in East Jakarta. Now, the water recedes 14 hours after it rains,” Fauzi said at the launch of a book titled Mengapa Jakarta Banjir; Pengendalian Banjir Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta (Why Jakarta floods; Jakarta Administration’s efforts to control on floods) at City Hall, as quoted by kompas.com.

Fauzi said he would remain focused on finishing the canal project, especially on the upriver side.

“We haven’t completed some facilities on the upper side. So, we are seeing some puddles lingering there,” he said.