Jakarta on Official Alert as Flood Misery Returns

Jakarta Globe, January 13, 2014

Misery returned to many on Monday as the first city-wide flood of the rainy season inundated homes and blocked transport thoroughfares, evoking memories of the disastrous floods in January last year which killed scores and paralyzed the capital.

“As many as 7,367 houses or 24,269 people have been flooded,” National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said on Monday.

The Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) report said more than 5,000 people had been evacuated from floods right across the capital basin, from Tangerang to the west to Bekasi in the east.

“We have declared a flood alert this afternoon,” Jakarta Governor said on Monday, emphasizing that the “alert” status was one level below “emergency.” Evacuation measures would be given greater priority under the new alert status.

Within the city limits, East Jakarta, in particular, was badly affected — water levels of 150 centimeters were reported in Jatinegara on Monday morning, while another usual suspect — Kampung Melayu — was also under more than meter of water. Kampung Rambutan recorded a 60-centimeter level on Monday morning.

“A special meeting with the governor [Joko Widodo] has been scheduled this morning to decide whether an emergency response status needs to be issued,” Bambang said.

Water levels at the Depok and Katulampa (near Bogor) water gates decreased slightly on Monday compared with a day earlier.

School closures

The Jakarta education agency instructed all affected schools to close for the day.

“If it is the case that students must study at home, then teachers will give assignments, monitor them and collect their work once the situations after the flooding has improved.” said Taufik Yudi Mulyanto, head of Jakarta’s education agency.

Affected schools included SMA 8 Bukit Duri, SMA 60 Jalan Bangka, SMP 124 Jalan Bangka and SMA 35 Jalan Mutiara, Karet Tengsin.

Worrying outlook

BMKG deputy for weather forecasting Soepriyo said the capital should expect more rain over the next 24 hours.

“Moderate to light rainfall will take place until tomorrow,” said Soepriyo.

The forecast for outlying areas Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang was, however, of greater concern. The three-day outlook for the Jabodetabek area indicates heavy rainfall, which will likely put more pressure on flood defenses — increasing the likelihood of levee failures and burst banks in Central Jakarta.

“Heavy rainfall will shower Jabodetabek from January 13 to 15,” Soepriyo said.

Two workers fix a power line operated by state-owned electricity firm

 Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) in Semarang in this Feb. 21, 2013 

file photo. (JG Photo/Dhana Kencana)

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