Here are SDA Agency's Efforts to Overcome Tidal Floods

The Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Agency keeps accelerating long-term efforts to minimize tidal floods that often hits coastal areas of Jakarta.

The role of residents is also very important in maintaining coastal infrastructure

One of the main steps being taken to prevent high tides from overflowing onto land is by building a coastal protection embankment through the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) Phase A program, 39 kilometers long at critical points.

"This program is a synergy between Jakarta Provincial Government and Public Works (PU) Ministry to protect coastal areas from tidal floods," stated Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Agency Acting Head, Ika Agustin Ningrum, Tuesday (12/17).

Jakarta Provincial Government Focuses on Receding Tidal Flood and Distributing Assistance for Impacted Residents

Besides the dam construction, the SDA Agency also strengthened the tidal flood control polder system, which is completed with rubber dams to prevent sea water from overflowing back onto land.

"Hopefully, it is capable of holding sea water when the high tide phase occurs, especially during a full moon or extreme weather conditions," she hoped.

She explained another effort that is no less important is controlling land subsidence, by limiting the use of groundwater through the Groundwater Free Zone policy which will be expanded in various regions. As well as improving the PAM clean water pipe network thus people switch from using groundwater to piped clean water.

"We must reduce the use of groundwater as land subsidence contributes significantly to the vulnerability of coastal areas to tidal floods," she explained.

Her agency was also collaborating with BMKG, universities and other related SKPDs to develop a monitoring and prediction system to estimate the potential for tidal floods and its mitigation.

Then the use of technology would help provide early warning to the community so they could prepare themselves when a tidal threat occurred.

"Additionally, nature-based steps such as planting mangroves in coastal areas continue to be expanded by involving the private sector and related regional apparatus," she added.

She went on to say that the tidal flood phenomenon occurred recently was triggered by sea tides due to the moon's gravity, instead of high rainfall.

"During the full moon or new moon phase, the sea water reaches its maximum point and overflows into low-lying land areas," she continued.

The Jakarta Provincial Government also optimizes the use of stationary and mobile pumps to drain water into the sea, especially in areas with low topography or below sea level, to directly handle tidal waves. Efforts being made are optimizing drainage channels so that water can flow smoothly.

She explained the duration of tidal floods varied between two and six hours, depending on the tidal cycle, topography of the area, and weather conditions.

With these various efforts, the Jakarta Government would strengthen infrastructure, mitigation and community participation to face the challenges of tidal floods, as well as maintain the resilience of Jakarta's coastal areas from the impacts of climate change and land subsidence.

"The role of residents is also very important in maintaining coastal infrastructure, such as embankments, as well as supporting piped water use policies to reduce groundwater exploitation," she uttered.