Monitoring Floods Riding Helicopters Criticized, Pramono: Not My Request, Some Are Nawarin

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung monitors floods using helicopters. (doc. Public Relations of the DKI Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung responded to scorn from a number of parties about the activity of monitoring floods from the air using helicopters some time ago.

Some people think Pramono should not use helicopters when reviewing floods. They also compared with President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka who came directly to the flood-affected locations to meet residents.

Pramono admitted that he received the criticism leveled at him. However, he also emphasized that the flood monitoring activity by helicopter was not of his own accord.

"Criticism is a very healthy medicine. I was criticized for any gratitude, thank you, thank you, thank you. And I was riding a helicopter, not my request. Someone offered it," said Pramono at Kramat Jati Main Market, East Jakarta, Monday, March 10.

Moreover, in his review, Pramono also wanted to map flood-affected areas that have urgency as a location for the continuation of the normalization of the Ciliwung River.

"So why did it be seen from above because they wanted naturalization, sodetan was everywhere that could be done. So once again heli was not meant to be arrogant," explained Pramono.

On Thursday, March 6, Pramono Anung monitored the current flood situation by air using a helicopter belonging to the Baharkam Polri Water and Air Police Corps (Polairud).

From the air, Pramono checked the condition of the settlements that were previously affected by severe flooding. Also monitored by rivers and waterways that had previously overflowed due to extreme rainfall in Jabodetabek.

"When viewed from above, Jakarta's life has started to return to normal," said Pramono at Bhayangkara Field, Police Headquarters, South Jakarta.

Pramono also monitors the condition of the floodgates in Jakarta. One of them, Manggarai Water Gate with a water level of 600 centimeters with a standby or normal status. Previously, when the flood peaked, Manggarai Water Gate reached 850 centimeters or standby 2.

From this condition, Pramono emphasized that the DKI Provincial Government will accelerate the process of land acquisition for settlements along the river for the normalization of Ciliwung, especially in the Cawang, Bidara Cina, and Pengadegan areas.

"Because that was what yesterday had an extraordinary impact on flooding when it was above the intensity or high rainfall, and we will handle that," said Pramono.