River normalization project to tackle flooding and inundation in the capital keeps being accelerated, particularly in East Jakarta. The normalization is done by dredging mud and sedimentation and connecting channels in Cakung River. It is targeted to finish in mid-December.

Due to sedimentation, we use an heavy equipment to dredge the Cakung River and channel. The dredging aims to handle flooding in rainy season

Head of Cakung Sub-District's Public Works Section, Subandi disclosed the dredged channel along approximately 750 meters, starting from behind the Era Mas Residence Complex until Jalan Raya Bekasi junction, West Cakung. Eight buildings stood atop the 12-meter wide channel was also controlled.

For the Cakung River that has a width of 15 meters, dredging is done along about 350 meters, especially the part that occurred sedimentation, which is RW 06 Pulogebang. 

"Due to sedimentation, we use an heavy equipment to dredge the Cakung River and channel. The dredging aims to handle flooding in rainy season," he expressed, Tuesday (11/25).

He furthered majority of flood-prone areas are located at RW 11 and 06 Pulogebang and Era Mas Residence Complex. Water level is varied between 30-40 centimeters. Through dredging, the site is hoped will be free from flood. Both channels dredged up to 1-1.5 meters deep.

In addition, he continued, another socialization is also done on the micro channel more than 500 meters along Jalan Raya Bekasi, precisely from junction of Cakung barat Toll Road Gate until under JORR (Cakung-Cilincing) Toll Road. The whole project taken from using self-managed funds in 2014.

However, several obstacles found in normalization project on Jalan Raya Bekasi. One of them is 10 buildings owned by residents that overhanging into the water channel. The buildings then demolished by sub-district side to smoothen the dredging, which aims to minimize inundation in RW 04 Cakung Barat.

"We deplore people who close the channel without setting up the control tub. Because of this is very disturbing us while doing maintenance. That's why, we demolish buildings that have no the control tub," exclaimed Subandi.