The effort to minimize flooding and inundations caused by the over capacity of Sekretaris River is done by West Jakarta Public Works Sub-Department by normalizing the river that passes on Duri Kepa and Kedoya Utara urban villages, Kebon Jeruk Sub-District. It is scheduled that the work would finish in a month.

By dredging the river, its water capacity would increase, so the inundations around this area could decrease

“Sekretaris River has not been dredged for a long time. Thus, silting happens and leads to decrease in water capacity. By dredging the river, its water capacity would increase, so the inundations around this area could decrease. The dredging takes time for about a month,” stated Head of West Jakarta Public Works Sub-Department, Pamudji, Tuesday (8/19).

According to Pamudji, the river as long as one kilometer and as wide as 10 meters will be dredged by using backhoe until it reaches two meters deep. While for the area on the riverbank, where there is settlement, the equipment deployed is excavator swamp.

In addition, West Jakarta Public Works Sub-Department will also dredge the sewers on Jalan Kembang Kerep and Jalan Kembang Abadi, as well as connecting channels (PHB) Kampung Salo in Jelambar Raya, Basoka in Kavling Hankam, H Sarimun, et cetera.

Haryadi (48), resident of RW 06 Duri Kepa, positively welcomes the effort of West Jakarta Public Works Sub-Department in dredging Sekretaris River which never been dredged for dozens of years. As a result, the mud on river is very thick and the river water easily overflows onto the street and settlement.

“It is time the river is dredged. Hopefully the dredging could minimize flooding in our area and surrounding areas,” he expressed.