River Normalization Methods For Flood Control, Must Be Combined With The Naturalized Concept

Normalization of the Ciliwung River (Photo from Antara)

YOGYAKARTA - River normalization is one of the flood prevention measures that the government continues to boost. The river normalization project that is currently being carried out is the normalization of the Ciliwung River in Jakarta. What is the river normalization method like?

President Joko Widodo said that river normalization could reduce flooding that submerged Jakarta. Currently, the river normalization project leaves work on 17 kilometers of riverbanks. The river normalization work continues to be the focus of the Ministry of PUPR.

President Jokowi targets the normalization of the Ciliwung River to be completely completed by the end of 2024. This normalization project is part of the plan to control the Jakarta flood control system from upstream to downstream. So what is the river normalization method that is an effort to prevent flooding?

River normalization is an activity to improve and restore river function normally. The goal of river normalization is to widen the river body, tidy up the river shape, and dredge into the river so that it has the ideal capacity to accommodate volume and discharge of water flow.

River normalization is generally related to sustainable development in a country. River normalization is one of the steps to tackle flood disasters. River normalization is closely related to concreteization. But actually river normalization also includes the concept of naturalization to regreen riverbanks.

The river normalization project is carried out to increase river capacity so that there is no accumulation of water volume at certain points. This project is usually applied to rivers where the upstream area does not have water reservoirs. By normalizing the river, water from upstream can flow smoothly to the estuary.

The river normalization project is carried out in several stages. Before working on the government project, residents who live around riverbanks will be relocated. Relocation needs to be done because the river body must be widened and deepened. To restore and improve the function of the river, a large space or land is needed.

Regulation of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Number 28/PRT/M/2018 concerning Determination of the River Sempadan Line and the Lake Sempadaran Line stipulates that the river border lines are not embankd in urban areas 10 meters from the left and right edges of the river troughs with a depth of less than or equal to 3 meters, 15 meters, 20 meters, 30 meters.

The river normalization work is carried out by making river cliffs upright or almost upright due to the limited availability of land in urban areas. Rock buildings must be strong so that they do not landslide easily. Usually the strengthening is carried out using sheet piles, concrete walls, or river stones.

Many people debate the term river normalization and river naturalization. The term river naturalization was initiated by Anies Baswedan while serving as Governor of DKI Jakarta. The river naturalization introduced by Anis is the concept of developing green open space while still paying attention to the capacity to control flooding.

Naturalization is a river reforestation activity and riverbanking with plants. Actually, the term river normalization and river naturalization are things that need not be debated. Both can be combined as a step to improve or restore the function of the river.

The naturalization concept is an effort to restore river shape to natural conditions that are converging, continuous, and there are dense plants as the habitat of organisms on the riverbanks. Reforestation with the presence of these plants can serve as natural ecological hydrolyses to prevent erosion and reduce flooding.

Demikianlah review mengenai metode naturalisasi sungai untuk pengendalian banjir. Proyek normalisasi sungai harus dipadukan dengan naturalisasi sungai agar pengembalian fungsi sungai bisa maksimal. Banyak negara-negara maju sudah membinakan pendekatan normalisasi dan naturalisasi dalam penataan sungai.

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