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Poor river restoration blamed for Jakarta’s floods
The Jakarta administration is in hot water after major floods once again hit the capital city, with critics blaming its poor river restoration projects.
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Vehicles stop at the edge of a flooded road in Jakarta on Feb. 20, 2021, following heavy overnight rains. (Agence France Presse/Arya)
T
he Jakarta administration is in hot water after major floods once again hit the capital city, with critics blaming its poor river restoration projects amid the ongoing polemic of a new city development plan.
At least five people were killed and 1,300 others rushed to shelters as floods submerged neighborhoods in Jakarta over the weekend, with floodwater reaching up to 2.5 meters in some areas.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the flow of water from Bogor and Depok in West Java had prolonged the floodwater receding time, which was initially estimated to take only six hours after the rain stopped.
While Depok acting mayor Sri Utomo said Anies’ statement was “fair” considering the topography, Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto was not convinced because the water level at the Katulampa sluice gate in Bogor had not experienced a significant increase.
Despite the flow of water, the recurrence of floods had shown the failure of the current administration to improve the city’s poor water channels, said urban planning expert Nirwono Joga.
“It shows the governor has not done his job to restore the rivers, whose carrying capacity is inadequate. This was exacerbated by the poor drainage system, so the floods struck several roads and underpasses.” Nirwono told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Read also: Thousands evacuated, traffic disrupted as floods hit Jakarta at rainy season peak
