Jakarta Deploys 1,200 Pumps to Tackle Flooding After Heavy Rainfall

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Jakarta Provincial Government has deployed 1,200 flood control pumps as part of an emergency response to manage inundation and flooding triggered by heavy rainfall that struck the capital on Saturday night.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said authorities had been coordinating closely with relevant agencies since the onset of the rainfall to ensure swift action in affected areas.

“I have been coordinating with my staff since last night, especially with the Water Resources Agency. In fact, pumping operations have been underway at several locations since then,” the governor said in a statement on Sunday.

According to the governor, the flood response system currently includes 668 stationary pumps installed at 243 locations and 536 mobile pumps positioned in various flood-prone areas across the city.

Pumping operations are ongoing in several locations, including Daan Mogot Road in West Jakarta and other major thoroughfares, to quickly drain accumulated water and restore traffic flow.

Governor Pramono noted that rainfall in Jakarta and surrounding areas reached 264 millimeters, a level considered extremely high and far above the usual daily rainfall average.

“Rainfall in Jakarta and its surrounding areas reached 264 millimeters today. This is considered extremely high,” he said.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and stay updated with official information regarding weather conditions and potential flooding in their neighborhoods.

For longer-term mitigation, the Jakarta administration is continuing its river normalization program aimed at strengthening flood control infrastructure. The project currently focuses on three major rivers: Ciliwung, Cakung Lama, and Krukut.

The governor said the normalization of the Cakung Lama River is targeted for completion by 2027, which is expected to significantly reduce flood risks in several parts of the capital.

Data from the Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) as of 5 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) showed that flooding had affected 74 neighborhood units and 15 road sections across the province.

Water levels in the affected areas range from 15 centimeters to as high as 1.2 meters, prompting continued monitoring and response efforts by city authorities.