TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Jakarta provincial government plans to install disaster early warning systems in areas prone to flooding during monsoon season, antaranews reported.

"We plan to install the disaster warning system as part of our preparation for the upcoming monsoon season, which often causes widespread flooding across the capital," Bambang Suryawardhana, head of Jakarta's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) at the City Hall in Central Jakarta, said on Friday.

According to Bambang, the system will be installed in five sub-districts (kelurahan), namely Rawa Buaya, Kampung Melayu, Bidara Cina, Petogogan, and Ulujami. "The devices will be placed in 15 spots, three in each sub-district," he explained.

Bambang said the devices were given by the Japan Radio Company, a Japanese company specializing in wireless electronics for the communications industry. The devices, equipped with sirens and loudspeakers, will be installed on gantries.

Once installed, the system will function as a public announcement (PA) system that could be used to relay information on water levels on rivers that pass through the sub-districts.

"The system would also relay real-time information of situations in Puncak, Bogor. If there is in increase in water levels and rain debits, the sirens will sound off and residents would be required need to prepare for flood," said Bambang.

ANTARA | RR