Drainage Capacity Is The Reason For Anies Jakarta Floods, PDIP: Why Isn't It Repaired?

Illustration - Jakarta Flood Documentation (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - Floods inundated dozens of RTs and a number of roads in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 19 yesterday. DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan reasoned that flooding could occur due to the limited drainage system.

This reason surprised the chairman of the PDIP faction of the DKI DPRD, Gembong Warsono. Gembong questioned why Anies did not increase the drainage capacity if the conditions were unable to accommodate extreme rain.

"He can blame the drainage. But if he knows there is a problem with the drainage, why can't it be repaired? Why isn't drainage the flagship program?" said Gembong when contacted, Thursday, January 20.

Gembong also regretted Anies' attitude, which until now has not realized the river normalization program. This program is also included in the 2017-2022 DKI Regional Medium-Term Program Plan (RPJMD).

Currently, the plan to normalize the Ciliwung River has stalled in the land acquisition process. In fact, said Gembong, normalization is one of the most influential programs in minimizing the impact of floods in the capital city.

"If there are still floods in Jakarta, it's not surprising to me. Because, for 5 years there was no execution of the flood problem at all, as stated in the RPJMD," he said. Previously, Anies stated that floods could inundate Jakarta due to extreme rains. He said, yesterday's rainfall in Kemayoran was recorded at 204 millimeters, in Teluk Gong 193 millimeters, in Pulomas 177 millimeters, and in Kelapa Gading 163 millimeters.

Meanwhile, the drainage capacity in Jakarta can only accommodate up to 100 millimeters of rain per day. If the rainfall exceeds the drainage capacity, then the flood will definitely hit.

"Rainfall above 150 millimeters is an extreme condition. The drainage capacity in Jakarta ranges from 50-100 millimeters. If it rains above 100 millimeters per day, there will definitely be flooding in Jakarta," said Anies.

However, he targets his staff to be able to reduce the flooding within 6 hours after the rain stops. "If extreme rains cause flooding, then the priority of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is to ensure that residents are safe and there are no casualties. Then ensure that all pumping efforts are carried out so that the flood can recede within a maximum of six hours after the rain stops," explained Anies.

Unfortunately, yesterday's flood conditions have not subsided all day. In the morning, the flood submerged 64 RTs to a height of 1 meter. Then in the evening, floods still inundated 77 RTs in Jakarta.