Evacuation Of Residents Is Anies' Main Focus, Before Talking About Flood Prevention

Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKRTA - Heavy rains have flushed the capital city since New Year's Eve, causing several areas of Jakarta to be flooded. Apart from causing damage to buildings, the flood also resulted in several casualties and displaced thousands of Jakarta residents.

This afternoon, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan visited the flood victims who were in the Pesakih Flat and the evacuation sites around the Hasyum Asy'ari Mosque, Kalideres, West Jakarta. Anies is still reluctant to comment on anticipation of flooding, he is still focusing on evacuating the affected residents since Wednesday, January 1 yesterday.

"We are currently concentrating on evacuating the residents' rescue. And this is what we make sure it goes well," said Anies when asked about flood anticipation, Thursday, January 2.

Anies said that currently the safety of residents is a priority for the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. He also continues to monitor the locations of floods and the conditions of the floodgates, hoping that the floods will recede soon.

In the Pesakih area, the level of water inundating the residential areas varies. There are puddles that reach a height of 2.5 meters, so that they submerge the residents' houses.

"In this phase, we make sure that residents' safety is guaranteed. Then if the water is taking a walk, there is a river, it can be pumped. Part of the process takes time," he said.

Furthermore, Anies also explained about the target of restoring areas affected by the flood. According to him, it all depends on the receding process of sea water.

"Some of these waters will wait for the sea level to recede. So hopefully the sooner the better," he said.

Openly, Anies also taught the people of Jakarta to intervene and help each other. This does not mean that the DKI Pemprov is giving up its hands, it's just that Anies does not deny that there are still places that are not yet reached.

"The government will certainly do it, but we are also grateful if the residents are willing to help ease what assistance is needed, especially food and drinks. It is realized that many places were still closed yesterday," he said.

Meanwhile, for assistance, the Mayor of West Jakarta has prepared 60 clean water tanks. The 60 tanks are scattered in Cengkareng District, Kapuk Village, Kalideres, and several other flood-affected areas.