Total 10 pumps were operated to drain inundation on Jl. D.I. Panjaitan, precisely under Cawang Interchange toll road or across WIKA Building, Kebon Pala, Makasar, East Jakarta, on Friday (2/19).

But at 8 AM, some vehicles could already crossed it since inundation receded from 40 centimeters to about 15 centimeters

Road was flooded since 3 AM with water level reached 40 centimeters. As the result, number of vehicles from Tanjung Priok to Cililitan direction turned back (contraflow) that caused traffic jam.

East Jakarta Fire Handling and Rescue's Fire Control and Rescue Section head, Gatot Sulaeman mentioned, 25 personnel were deployed with 5 mobile pumps to handle inundation under Cawang Toll road. They assisted East Jakarta SDA Task Force in handling inundation.

At 6 AM, road under Cawang Toll could not yet be crossed by vehicles. But at 8 AM, some vehicles could already crossed it since inundation receded from 40 centimeters to about 15 centimeters.

"We deploy 5 quick response mobile pimps to handle inundation under Cawang Toll. Alhamdulillah, it has receded at 8 AM and vehicles from Tanjung Priok to Cililitan can use this road," he mentioned.

East Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Sub-agency's Maintenance Section Head, Puryanto stated, his side also deployed 3 floating pumps and 2 stationary pumps from Brantas Pump House and Cawang Pump House, as well as 30 Task Force personnel.

"We deploy 3 floating pumps and operate 2 stationary pumps to drain floodwater under Cawang Toll," he asserted.

According to him, inundation was occurred because Cipinang River overflowed that made connecting channel on Jl. D.I. Panjaitan also overflowed and inundated road under Cawang Toll.

Moreover, sea water is currently also at high tide and causes water flow slowly from East Flood Canal (KBT) to the sea. This resulted water flow in KBT that came from rivers in East Jakarta to be congested and potential to cause inundation on the roads and residential areas.

"The problem is that water discharge is currently high in KBT. It causes congestion to all rivers that flow to KBT, such as Sunter River, Cipinang River, Jati Kramat River, Buaran River. As the result, water overflows the roads and residential areas," he conveyed.

He hopes sea water level to decrease as soon as possible, thus KBT water can flow well to the sea. That way it can accelerate water flow in all rivers, including connecting channels and drainage channels," he closed.