Flood Likely To Hit Jakarta In January-February

Jakarta, Antara 9 (Antara) - Jakarta faces the potential threat of flooding in January-February due to the likelihood of high-intensity rainfall, coupled with the incomplete work on the reservoir and river normalization, stated Jakarta`s Governor Joko Widodo, here Thursday. Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, remarked that flooding is likely to occur during the period of January-February because the upstream area normalization work in Puncak, West Java, is yet to be completed. According to Jokowi, the capital flood prevention programs should be jointly undertaken by the regional and central governments. "Indeed, we need to work in tandem. It is a combined effort and every party needs to get involved. Jakarta and the surrounding areas cannot work alone, including the community," he added. Jokowi also lauded the land acquisition efforts for river normalization in the upstream area in Puncak, West Java, which is currently on-going. Besides, Jokowi also cited the rain engineering effort, which will be later coordinated with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). "We are still waiting for figures from the climatology and disaster mitigation agencies so that rain engineering can be carried out," Jokowi stated. Joko Widodo had earlier noted that there was waterlogging in 19 areas across Jakarta after it was lashed by incessant rains on Wednesday (Jan. 8) since the river and reservoir normalization work was incomplete. Even so, the rivers and reservoirs can still function as catchment areas, Jokowi noted. For instance, the Pluit Reservoir can accommodate the rain water and all the five pumps are operational to directly discharge the water into the sea. "However, based on Tuesday`s torrential rains, Jakarta`s rivers and reservoirs are still capable of accommodating the rain water to be discharged into the sea, and the process is working effectively," Jokowi added.