More than 100 RT in Jakarta Flooded, Pramono: The Rainfall is Very High

JAKARTA - Heavy rain has hit Jakarta and its surrounding areas since Saturday, March 7, causing more than a hundred neighborhood units (RT) to be flooded today.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said that the rainfall that occurred reached 264 millimeters per day, a figure that is considered very high.

"Today in Jakarta and its surroundings, the rainfall is 264 mm per day. That includes very, very, very high rainfall," said Pramono in Central Jakarta, Sunday, March 8.

Since last night, Pramono admitted that he had coordinated with the DKI Provincial Government, especially the Water Resources Service, to carry out initial handling at a number of stagnant points. According to him, several locations that started to flood were immediately pumped by officers.

"From last night I have immediately coordinated with the ranks, especially the Water Resources Service. In fact, from last night, several spots have been pumped," said Pramono.

Pramono explained that the potential for flooding in Jakarta is not only triggered by local rain, but also by water shipments from upstream areas such as Bogor and Tangerang which experience high rainfall.

Therefore, the DKI Provincial Government has prepared around 1,200 water pumps, including portable pumps, to anticipate puddles in a number of vulnerable points.

"I have asked all levels, approximately 1,200 pumps have been prepared and include portable pumps in several areas, one of which has always been a problem is in Daan Mogot and in DI Panjaitan," he said.

He added that the pumps in the two areas continued to be operated so that the puddles quickly receded so that traffic flows could continue.

In addition to emergency handling, the DKI Provincial Government also continues the flood control program through river normalization. Currently, there are three rivers that are being handled, namely Ciliwung, Cakung Lama, and Krukut.

Pramono hopes that the normalization of the Old Cakung River can be completed in 2027 so that it can reduce the potential for flooding in a number of areas of Jakarta. However, Pramono admitted that flooding could not be completely eliminated from Jakarta.

"But if you completely eliminate flooding in Jakarta, it's not possible because the sea level is now higher than the ground level in Jakarta," he added.