REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Improving the ecosystem is a solution to the flood problem, stated Program Director of the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (Kehati) Teguh Triono.
"The solution to flooding is not only infrastructure but also ecosystem improvement," Teguh Triono noted here, Thursday.
Imbalance in ecosystem threatens the survival of a city. Floods that hit Jakarta are a concrete proof.
Jakarta was earlier hit by major flooding once every five years. But, lately, the capital city is affected by major flooding annually.
"It is because there is an imbalance of biodiversity, particularly the ecosystem in Jakarta and the surrounding cities," he pointed out.
In addition to President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) plans to build a tunnel from Ciliwung to the East Flood Canal and a dam in Ciawi, the ecosystem in Jakarta and suburban areas must also be improved, he noted.
The government should provide sufficient funds for the improvement of river basin areas and the expansion of open and green spaces, he remarked.
Following incessant heavy rains on Sunday and Monday, Jakarta was hit by floods that forced some 5,986 residents to evacuate to safer places, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"As many as 5,986 people are taking refuge in 14 locations. This figure might increase because we are still awaiting more data from field officers," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman for the BNPB, noted on Tuesday.
Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok had suspected that the flooding in the capital city was an act of sabotage.
"This morning (February 9), I woke up at 2 a.m. local time because of the rain. When I checked the CCTV camera footage, I found that the one in Istiqlal was turned off. I suspected that the palace was flooded, and that it could be an act of sabotage or a deliberate action. All waterways were functioning well, so flooding should have been impossible," Ahok noted in his office, which was also inundated, on Monday (February 9).
Jakarta has planned to acquire more water pumps and strengthen the dykes to tackle the floods that often plague the capital city.
"Several infrastructure projects and facilities are currently under construction," Head of the Jakarta Water Management Department Agus Priyono stated here on Thursday.
The Jakarta administration is accelerating its efforts to increase the height of its sea dykes and to install more water pumps, in accordance with the existing master plan on flood handling.
"In downstream areas, we plan to install six big water pumps in river estuaries. These include the Kamal Pump, Angke Pump, Marina Pump, Karang Pump, Sentiong Pump, and Sunter Hilir Pump," Priyono affirmed.
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