DKI Deputy Governor Riza Patria: In Java, Outside Java, Floods Until Weeks

JAKARTA - The flood that inundated parts of Jakarta since last Saturday, February 20, has subsided one hundred percent in two days.

Deputy Governor of DKI, Ahmad Riza Patria, admitted that he is grateful that the Jakarta floods have receded quickly. This is because, said Riza, floods outside DKI, such as Karawang, Bekasi, and South Kalimantan, take longer.

"Alhamdulillah doesn't take days. We see several areas in Java, outside Java, some floods last for weeks", said Riza at the City Hall of DKI, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 23.

The flood that occurred due to rain last Saturday affected 342 RTs (Neighborhood Association) from 113 RWs (Citizens Association). Meanwhile, the number of refugees was 3,311 people, spread over 44 refugee camps.

However, said Riza, the condition of the Jakarta floods is still under control. "We are grateful that in Jakarta, even though the lowlands and sources of the flood are local, upstream, flash, and tidal rains, we can control floods properly thanks to the support of all parties", he explained.

To anticipate future floods, Riza said that his party has several flood control programs. Among them is the dredging of the river to the reservoir, to make a pond.

Then, the DKI Provincial Government is preparing to face potential extreme weather in the next few days. Based on BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency) forecasts, DKI will experience heavy rains until the end of February.

"What we are doing, besides continuing to optimize water capacity, we are now prioritizing the safety of residents (if a flood occurs)", he said.