TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The flood in Bekasi City, West Java, on Thursday, April 21, 2016, caused by the overflowing of Bekasi River was the worst in the city’s history as the flow rate of the river dam reaches 780 cubic meter per second. “Bigger than the flood in 2007,” Bekasi River dam’s operator Wildan said yesterday.
Wildan said, the peak of water discharge came around 10 am when all southern regions of the dam had been inundated. Pondok Gede Permai residential complex experienced the worst with 4-meter high flood. Whereas other residential complex had an average of 1.5-meter high floods.
A number of residents admitted that the flood was the worst in the city’s history. For instance, Pondok Gede Permain residential complex had often experienced floods up to the entrance of the complex. This time, it had gone beyond it.
“Vila Nusa Indah bridge used not to be inundated; this time, it’s been hit by 1-meter high flood,” said a resident, Kelik Widiyanto.
Head of Highway and Water Management Department of Bekasi City, Tri Adhianto said the water discharge from Bogor was substantial. The water did not recede within one day, even though Bekasi River dam has been opened with the flow rate of 780 cubic meter per second. “We recommend [the goverment to announce it as] an extraordinary event,” Tri said.
Therefore flood handling could immediately be carried out, he said. For example, to restore a 20-meter long levee at a neighborhood in Jatirasa Village, Jatiasih Sub-district. “It would be difficult if we use APBD [regional budget], [the process is] too long,” Tri said.
According to him, by raising the status into an extraordinary event, a contingency fund of Rp30 billion could promptly be used. No later than one week after the decision of raising the status, the fund could be disbursed so that the levee restoration could be carried out. “The levee must be replaced with sheet piling; regular concrete or layer of gabions won’t last long,” he said.
ADI WARSONO
