Infiltration Wells Are Not Enough, Anies Baswedan Needs To Do These 5 Things To Overcome Jakarta Floods

Deputy Governor of DKI Riza Patria inspects infiltration wells (Photo: Instagram @arizapatria)

JAKARTA - Floods that inundated several areas of the capital, such as in East Jakarta and South Jakarta a few days ago, show that the DKI Provincial Government is not ready to deal with floods.

At least, that's what urban planning observer Nirwono Yoga said. So far, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan's subordinates seem reactive in dealing with floods.

In a sense, during the rainy season, the ranks of the DKI Provincial Government only move, such as carrying out the Mud Raid program and pumping pumps when there is a puddle.

Indeed, there is one program that is predicted to help reduce inundation and has been in the works for a long time, namely infiltration wells or vertical drainage. However, according to Nirwono, it is not enough.

"The construction of roadside infiltration wells that are being built everywhere only helps reduce local inundation, but does not significantly reduce flooding," said Nirwono when contacted, Wednesday, November 10.

To overcome and reduce the impact of flooding in the capital city, Nirwono formulated 5 programs that Anies must carry out immediately.

1. River normalization

Nirwono encouraged Anies to fix 13 main rivers and normalize rivers. During Anies' four years in office, the normalization construction has not been carried out. Anies must immediately start by relocating residents' settlements.

"It is necessary to widen and deepen the river to overcome the flooding that occurred yesterday, such as in Rawajati and Kebon Pala due to the overflow of the Ciliwung River, and Bintaro, Pondok Pinang, and North Petukangan due to the overflow of the Pesanggrahan River," explained Nirwono.

2. Revitalize lakes, ponds, and reservoirs

Anies, said Nirwono, it was necessary to revitalize 109 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in Jakarta to better accommodate runoff from nearby rivers and waterways.

3. Rehabilitation of city waterways

Nirwono advised Anies to rehabilitate the entire city's waterways and connect them to the existing 109 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

"This rehabilitation is to accommodate water and raw water reserves, as well as to overcome local flooding, as happened yesterday at Jalan Falatehan Blok M, Jalan Dharmawangsa, and Jalan Panglima Polim," said Nirwono.

4. Adding RTH

Then, Anies must also add a new green open space (RTH) point as a city water catchment area to accommodate water runoff from nearby waterways.

5. Restoration of coastal areas

Finally, Nirwono advised Anies to restore the coastal area of 500 meters to land free of buildings and settlements. "This is to overcome tidal flooding like what happened in RE Martadinata, Penjaringan, and Pluit," he concluded.