Jakarta Optimizes Drainage Channel Capacity for Flood Mitigation

To mitigate flood risks ahead of the rainy season’s anticipated peak in February 2027, the Jakarta Water Resources Agency (SDA) is actively boosting the capacity of water channels across all five administrative cities.

We call upon all residents to keep water channels clear

Jakarta Water Resources Agency, Ika Agustin Ningrum, said that the expansion of water-holding capacity is being conducted through continuous channel normalization and dredging to reduce the risk of inundation and flooding during periods of heightened rainfall intensity.

“With optimized storage capacity, water is expected to flow more smoothly so that the potential for overflow during heavy downpours can be minimized,” she expressed, Wednesday (11/11).

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Currently, the agency has dredged 165 channels and water bodies across the five administrative cities, reaching approximately 62.3 percent of the targeted dredging volume of one million cubic meters throughout 2026.

She detailed that the 165 dredged locations are spread across eight sites in Central Jakarta, 36 in North Jakarta, 40 in West Jakarta, 28 in South Jakarta, and 53 sites in East Jakarta.

“These operations are part of optimizing the capacity of rivers and water bodies to retain and convey water, particularly during surges in water discharge caused by heavy rainfall,” she explained.

Beyond relying on infrastructure readiness, the Water Resources Agency alongside related regional government apparatuses is also bolstering personnel preparedness and rapid response capabilities to confront potential hydrometeorological hazards.

Various inundation and flood information channels have been made available so that the public can access up-to-date information regarding on-the-ground conditions and mitigation efforts.

Further, Disaster Preparedness Posts and Fallen Tree Response Posts operate 24 hours a day across all mayoral and administrative regency offices to support coordination and emergency handling.

Residents can monitor conditions through various official platforms, such as pantaubanjir.jakarta.go.id portal for waterlogging updates and response operations, and the JAKI app’s Citizen Report feature to report neighborhood incidents.

Disaster early warnings and real-time water level data are accessible via the official channels of BMKG and Jakarta BPBD. For emergencies, the public can reach the Jakarta Siaga emergency hotline at 112.

“Tackling floods demands a combined approach: maintaining infrastructure, boosting the retention capacity of water bodies, and ensuring robust inter-agency coordination,” she concluded.

Ika urged residents to stay alert and proactively support flood mitigation measures, especially by paying close heed to official weather advisories and early warnings.

She stressed that managing flood risks is not the government’s task alone, but relies heavily on civic collaboration.

“We call upon all residents to keep water channels clear, avoid littering, and immediately report any hazards that could lead to waterlogging or compromise public safety,” she concluded.