Governor and its Partner Monitor Gerebek Lumpur Activity in Baru Barat River

The Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Agency continues to make efforts to anticipate flood control. One of them is by conducting a massive mud dredging action in Baru Barat River, Jalan Dr Saharjo, Setiabudi Sub-district, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (9/30).

t is a form of collaboration that needs to be maintained regarding flood prevention, that's why I really appreciate them

The action, which takes places from the intersection of Jalan Casablanca until the intersection of Jalan Minangkabau is part of the Gerebek Lumpur program, which is carried out in stages in five areas of Jakarta.

At 6:45 AM, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan took his time to check the readiness of the joint personnel under SDA Agency, as well as other related units. He gave his appreciation the ranks who work together and collaborate to achieve maximum results in the field.

Acting Secretary Monitors Gerebek Lumpur Activity in West Jakarta

"I've seen it directly on the field. There are Forestry Agency, Transportation Agency, Bina Marga Agency, PPSU, urban village and other agencies. It is a form of collaboration that needs to be maintained regarding flood prevention, that's why I really appreciate them," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

Afterwards he then led the ceremony about Flood Disaster Response together with all Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) elements, at the Polda Metro Jaya Headquarters, South Jakarta.

Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza Patria then continued the governor’s action at 8:30 AM, together with all ranks, South Jakarta Mayor Marullah Matali, South Jakarta SDA Sub-agency Head Mustajab, as well as sub-district and urban village heads.

He revealed that Baru Barat River is one of the rivers in Jakarta, which plays an important and active role as flood control to accommodate water during the rainy season. Hence, dredging was executed to increase the capacity of the river, as the mud sediment had been dredged.

"Actually this was done several weeks earlier. One of the aims is we want to ensure that rivers, lakes, ponds and other water reservoirs can hold even more water. Every year the water discharge of rain will continue to increase. That means we also have to prepare a big space/place," he explained.

As for the information, Gerebek Lumpur is a massive mud dredging activity in lakes, rivers and reservoirs throughout Jakarta. It is done to reduce the silting process by deploying heavy equipment up to three times its normal capacity. In Baru Barat River, seven heavy equipments have been alerted yet only two of them are used. They are sent to speed up the dredging process.

"We dredge up the mud, the soil and the waste, including the water. And then they will be sent to Ancol. The program as stated by the Mayor, will also be sucked up and streamed. If the soil or mud is picked up, the space will be even wider and its water and the water is removed. Thus the river/lake is empty and is able to accommodate more water when it rains," he explained.

The river itself has nearly 2 meters of silting and inundation occurs several times during the rainy season. The dredging started on June 3 and finished on August 31. As for another dredging on Jalan Dr Saharjo has been started on September 1- until now. By sending three equipments, it is expected to finish the work faster thus can focus on other regions.