Jakarta Won't Be Free of Flood as Land Surface Sinks, Says Acting Governor

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono decided to tighten permits for the construction of high-rise buildings and issued regulations prohibiting the use of groundwater in an effort to prevent further land subsidence, which is one of the leading causes of severe flooding in the city.

“Land subsidence is the primary [cause of flooding], so we will surely ask [building owners] to refrain from using groundwater,” Heru Budi said after reviewing the Bakti Kita Untuk Jakarta program at the river near BNI City on Sunday, November 19.

Due to the ban, owners of tall buildings and the public are obliged to use water supplied by the tap water company PAM. This is stipulated in the Governor’s Regulation No. 93/2021 on groundwater-free zones which will take effect starting August 1, 2023.

Another effort to minimize the impact of flooding due to land subsidence is by constructing embankments and preparing of pumps in certain prone areas, such as at Gunung Sahari, Ancol, Jalan R.E. Martadinata, Muara Baru, Pluit, Kamal Muara, and Sentiong.

Previously, Heru Budi assessed that Jakarta could not be free of flooding because of the ongoing land surface, which continues at a rate of 12 to 18 centimeters per year.

“There are several areas that are prone to flooding. Hopefully, the inundation will recede quickly. Jakarta cannot avoid flooding because land subsidence continues,” he said after inspecting the Ciliwung River, on Friday, November 10.

Heru Budi further explained that flooding is likely to hit Jakarta during heavy rainfall of more than 100 millimeters (mm) per day occurs and when water flows from neighboring areas.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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