Environmental Agency Ensures Smooth River Flow to Reduce Flood Impact

Jakarta Environmental Agency took swift action in overcoming the flood impacts at several points along the Ciliwung River and 12 other rivers crossing Jakarta.

Personnel preparedness is key to reducing the impact of floods

The action undertaken include deploying personnel and strengthening waste management across all bodies of water.

Jakarta Environmental Agency Head, Asep Kuswanto said, PPSU personnel were already on standby at vulnerable points to prevent the accumulation of trash that cause blockages in the river flow and worsen flood impacts.

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He explained waste management is intensified from upstream to downstream along the river, starting at TB Simatupang Trash Filter (SSTBS) as the initial trash filter before entering the city center.

"Garbage at locations such as Pelangi Kalibata Bridge, Kampung Melayu Bridge, and West Flood Canal (BKB) Season City can be well anticipated. Thus, the water flow to the sea can run smoothly without the effect of garbage dams," he explained, Friday (7/11).

He went on to say that SSTBS is an effort by the Jakarta Government to restore the ecosystem function of the Ciliwung River passing through Jakarta by reducing the waste entering the city. This is because garbage accumulation often occurs at the Pelangi Kalibata Bridge, Kampung Melayu Bridge, and Manggarai Sluice Gate before SSTBS operated.

On the other hand, he deployed more than 5,000 personnel throughout Jakarta during the flood alert operation.

"In dealing with garbage caused by floods, personnel preparedness is key to reducing the impact of floods due to garbage blockages. Once the tidal flood recedes, the floodwaters flow directly into the sea without being obstructed by trash dams," he continued.

Previously, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung explained that the relatively high and long-lasting floods in Jakarta were caused by three simultaneous factors: upstream flooding, heavy rainfall within the city, and tidal flooding.

He emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination to ensure that anticipatory measures are effective, with residents' safety as the top priority. He asked all his staff and field officers to work with full empathy.

"I appreciate them as the front lines in handling Jakarta's floods. This duty must be done with full responsibility and sincerity of heart," he closed.