REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Incessant heavy rains have triggered floods in at least 49 locations in Jakarta, according to the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Office (BPBD).
"The ongoing heavy rains since Sunday evening until this morning have inundated 49 locations throughout Jakarta," Bambang Suryaputra of the BPBD stated here on Monday.
Of the 49 flood-affected locations, 22 are in Central Jakarta, in Jalan MH Thamrin, Cempaka Baru, Ahmad Yani, Kwitang Raya,Majapahit, Budi Kemuliaan, Percetakan Negara, Jalan Cempaka Putih Tengah, and Senen Raya, among several others.
In West Jakarta, floodwaters reaching heights ranging between 10 and 60 centimeters affected Jalan Sosial Daan Mogot, Satria, Jelambar, Grogol, Kedoya Raya, Patra Raya, Arjuna Selatan, and Kapuk Raya, among others.
In East Jakarta, floods submerged Jalan DI Panjaitan, Pramuka, and Jalan Raya Bekasi. In North Jakarta, flooding was reported in Jalan Yos Sudarso, Kapuk Muara, and Boulevard Artha Gading.
In South Jakarta, Jalan H. Ipin, Pondok Labu, and Jalan Fatmawati were inundated with floodwaters reaching nearly 30 centimeters in height.
The Jakarta authorities have been working hard to ensure that they are ready to handle the floods, which are forecast to occur during the peak of the rainy season in February 2015.
Serious preparations are crucial as Jakarta is notorious for its floods during the rainy season. The capital city, with a population of some 10 million, is plagued by chronic flooding.
"We have made various preparations, such as the recovery of water pumps and strengthening the river embankments on the northern coast, including in Kelapa Gading and Sunter," Saefullah, the Jakarta administration secretary, stated on Jan. 27, 2015.
The three water pumps in Kampung Bandan and Rawa Badak are now being repaired and expected to become operational within the next two or three days.
"In addition to the three pumps, we are also fixing the water pumps in other areas, from Pluit to Marunda. At the same time, we also repaired the embankments," he noted.
The authorities will also raze down illegal houses located along the river basin areas in order to increase the width to 8-12 meters.
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