WB grants $139.64m loan to mitigate Jakarta’s floods

The World Bank has approved a loan worth US$139.64 million for financing the Jakarta Urgent Flood Mitigation Project, while both the central government and the Jakarta administration will add $49.71 million to the project.

“This project marks the World Bank’s first engagement with the Jakarta administration in addressing the city’s complex flood and urban development problems,” World Bank country director for Indonesia Stefan G Koeberle said in a press release on Tuesday.

The project aims to dredge around 67.5 kilometers of 11 key channel sections and 65 hectares of four retention basins in order to restore their operating capacities. It will also repair around 42 kilometers of embankment.

During the project implementation, non-hazardous materials will be disposed in a disposal facility in Ancol, North Jakarta, while solid waste and hazardous elements will be disposed in several specialized disposal sites.

“Studies show that the most beneficial step for flood mitigation in Jakarta is to rehabilitate the city’s flood management system back to its original design capacity. In addition to dredging, flood mitigation would also benefit from routine operation and maintenance,” senior water and sanitation specialist Fook Chuan Eng said.

The Jakarta administration will also be responsible for arranging a compensation package for residents who live in illegal settlements within the project sites.

Rain has become more frequent and intense in Jakarta in recent months. Accompanied by strong winds, the rain has increased the chance of floods to the city.(dic)