Only on Friday did East Jakarta Mayor Bambang Muswardana visit the area and instruct the relevant officials to find solutions.

“The latest inundation has occurred for two weeks. The water never recedes. Moss has started growing on the wall of my house,” said one of the residents, who said that he had waited for the Jakarta administration to eliminate the flooding.

Pondok Bambu subdistrict head Doddy said that the mayor had instructed him to immediately seek a solution to end the problems.

“Among those who came here are officials from the East Jakarta Water Management Office. Next week, we will have a meeting to seek a solution,” Doddy said as reported by kompas.com on Friday.

The flooding inundated houses in two neighborhood units – RT 16 and RT 15 – of Community Unit (RW) 07 in Pondok Bambu subdistrict.

Some residents expressed worry that the inundation would cause residents to become ill if the city administration did not immediately find a solution. “Hopefully, there will be no dengue fever cases,” said Iwan, who had to use neighbors’ toilets because his own toilet was flooded.

Sutinah, another resident, said many dangerous animals like snakes often came into her house. “Sometimes snakes came here, swimming along the inundation,” she added.

Doddy suspected that the inundation was caused by the construction of a house that blocked the waterway. He said Sianipar, the owner of the house, argued that the waterway was part of his land, therefore, part of his house was constructed over it.

“Next week, we will hold a meeting, Pak Sianipar is invited and is required to show the documents of his land. If the former waterway is part of his land, we will seek a solution, but if it is not his land, we will reestablish the waterway,” Doddy added.

Residents said that they had discussed the issue with Sianipar, but he never listened to their complaints. (bbn)