Flood in Kampung Pulo, Kampung Melayu Urban Village, Jatinegara Sub-District, East Jakarta, has receded. Yet, Jalan Jatinegara Barat, starting from in front of Hermina Hospital until Tongtek area, is still closed due to many vehicles belong to local residents and officers are parked along the road. The lanes that can be passed are only TransJakarta bus lane and the right lane. As a result, traffic congestion up to two kilometers long happened.

Indeed, the road is still closed due to uncertain situation in Kampung Pulo. Flood could come anytime, then receded, and next thing you know it hits again

Based on beritajakarta.com observations, hundreds of motorcycles belong to Kampung Pulo residents are parked on the slow lane of Jalan Jatinegara Barat, and vehicles of army/police as well as East Jakarta Fire and Disaster Handling Sub-Department are seen parked there as well. In addition, there are also four tents belong to TNI and a tent belongs to City Police Water and Air Police (Polairud) Unit as well as rubber boats put on the road.

Head of East Jakarta Transportation Sub-Department, Benhard Hutajulu, said that Jalan Jatinegara Barat is intentionally closed because the situation in Kampung Pulo is still uncertain and flood could hit the area at anytime.

“Indeed, the road is still closed due to uncertain situation in Kampung Pulo. Flood could come anytime, then receded, and next thing you know it hits again. That’s why we, together with East Jakarta Traffic Unit, are used to apply traffic engineering on Jalan Jatinegara Barat,” he stated, Friday (11/21).

According to Hutajulu, he does not know for sure until when the road closure of Jalan Jatinegara Barat would be applied. The road will be opened if the situation is really conducive.

Meanwhile, Head of Jatinegara Sub-District, Syofian Taher, informed that the flood in Kampung Pulo receded on Thursday (11/20) afternoon. At this time, the residents are cleaning up their houses from mud. It is known that 741 Kampung Pulo residents, who previously took refuge, have returned to their homes.

“Except in Hermina Hospital where there are still 70 RW 01 Kampung Pulo residents taking refuge. Although flood has receded, not all residents have cleaned up their houses from mud. Some of them are still taking refuge,” he uttered.