TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The street race event facilitated by Jakarta Metro Police is scheduled to be held tomorrow in Ancol, North Jakarta. However, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warns of the tidal flooding in the North Jakarta coastal area on January 14-20. The flood is expected to inundate the area from around 07:00 until 12:00 Jakarta time.

This made the organizers of the drag race called 'Latber Street Race' in Ancol worried as the race is planned to be held on Sunday from 07:00 to 15:00.

"Correct (the street race will be delayed if the tidal flooding occurs). But this isn't a championship, we only facilitate the street race phenomenon, so the public won't be disturbed, and that safety is also our priority," said the North Jakarta Traffic Police officer, who is also the coordinator of the event, Adj. Sr. Coms. Gusti Ketut when contacted by Tempo on Saturday, January 15.

Gusti said the authorities would also temporarily stop the race if rain falls since a slippery track would increase the risk of an accident. "Yes [that will be stopped temporarily] if it rains, because it'll be affected. Since this is an educational event, we also consider other factors," he explained.

Previously, BMKG through their social media account predicted that a tidal flood would hit Jakarta coastal area. This is because the moon is in its full phase and the rainfall is high, which will also make the high tide.

The agency predicts four Jakarta areas would be hit by the tidal flood which would definitely affect people's activities. The four areas include Penjaringan, Pademangan, Sunda Kelapa Port, until the Thousand Islands or Kepulauan Seribu.

Meanwhile, Gusti claimed that the preparation for the drag race is almost complete. "The preparation is 90 percent already," he told Tempo Saturday, Jan. 15.

He explained that the authorities would conduct traffic engineering around the race locations. West Ancol area would be closed for the street race, so the travelers heading to the tourist destination would be directed to the East Ancol area.

Read: BMKG Issues Warning of Potential Tidal Floods from Sukabumi to Yogyakarta

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH