The DKI SDA Department Acknowledged That A Water Pump Was Damaged

Water pump in a dry state. (Diah Ayu Wardani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The DKI Water Resources Agency (SDA) admitted that several water pumps were damaged due to being submerged in floods for a few days in early 2020. In fact, previously SDA admitted that no pumps were damaged.

SDA Agency Secretary Dudi Gardesi said at least 40 pump houses were damaged. At most, the damaged pumps were in 10 locations with quite high flood conditions. Some of them are in the Teluk Gong, Semanan, and Kampung Pulo areas.

"There are around 40 pump houses damaged out of a total of 176 units. The pumps were damaged due to being submerged by floods since January 1 yesterday. Now we have repaired them," said Dudi when contacted, Wednesday, January 8.

In one pump housing, there are several operating pumps. However, Dudi could not confirm how many pumps were damaged. This is because the number of pumps in one pump housing varies, from two to four.

Supposedly, if not damaged, the pump units totaling 478 units would be able to drain flood water up to 500 thousand liters per second. Because something was damaged, the drainage did not run optimally.

"Hopefully, when the flood comes, all [pumps] will be optimal," said Dudi.

Previously, there was a different statement, in which the Head of the DKI Water Resources Agency, Juaini Yusuf, admitted that a number of water pumps were submerged, but their condition was not damaged.

"Not damaged. Just check one by one now. Everything can actually function. It was yesterday because it was submerged," said Juaini.

Juani emphasized that the pump can be used again because currently the pump location is dry. "If the pump is submerged, it does not mean that it is not alive, but because it is not turned on. Hence, yesterday used a mobile pump as a backup. Those that were soaked and dry are now normal again," said Juaini.