TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Water Resource Agency Head Yusmada Faizal said the Muara Baru area of North Jakarta has the potential to sink 4.6 meters below sea level by 2050. He explained the area was already one meter below sea level and continued to experience land subsidence.

“In 2020, Muara Baru sat one meter below sea level. If we don't do something, it can be at 4.6 meters below sea level. That is the threat,” Yusmada said on Thursday, September 2.

Several other areas are also threatened to sink by 2050. They are the Kamal Muara area that was predicted to be three meters below sea level, Pluit at 4.35 meters, Gunung Sahari at 2.9 meters, Tanjungan area at 2.1 meters, Ancol at 1.7 meters, Marunda at 1.3 meters, and Cilincing at 1 meter.

Yusmada said Jakarta's sinking potential was highly dependent on the rate of land subsidence. If the subsidence rate could be suppressed, the projection of areas below sea level would also decrease.

Efforts to curb the rate of land subsidence include building coastal embankments to control coastal areas, managing mangrove areas, and building water decelerations as a substitute for groundwater.

“Don't let Jakarta sink. We have to do something. Even though Jakarta will be under sea level, Jakarta will not sink forever,” Yusmada pinned hopes.

Read: City Official Unveils Three Threats Leading to Jakarta Sinking

ZEFANYA APRILIA | TD