TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta is set to deploy thousands of personnel and mobilize 300 water pumps to anticipate flooding ahead of the rainy season at the end of this year. City Water Resources Agency Head Juaini Yusuf said his side had dredged dams and rivers across the city.

“We have dredged all rivers and dams since the beginning, so when [the rainy season] comes, we will be ready with our equipment,” said Juani in the City Hall, Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Juani explained that the dredging is ongoing in a bid to normalize the dams and rivers, as well as the micro water channel in the community.

Besides, he added, the agency has prepared 300 water pumps and several mobile pumps in five areas throughout Jakarta. Some 8,000 personnel from related agencies also stand guard.

According to the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the flood-prone areas include areas near riverbanks and several sites of construction projects.

“Previous floods hit areas around riverbanks and locations of LRT projects because the waterways are blocked due to construction poles,” Juani said.

The agency head further mentioned that his agency has taken anticipative measures for mitigating flooding, including repairing the broken pipes.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ