Indonesia SINKING:
/ Elisa also debated the administration’s plan to construct a deep tunnel, saying it would not solve the problem because parts of Jakarta’s land mass were around 4 meters below sea level. /
/ Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on the city’s residents to remain alert to anticipate major floods that could hit Jakarta on Sunday, although he also indicated that the worst flooding had now already occurred. “One thing we can do is ask the agency [for help] so that rainwater doesn’t flow into the rivers when we have a high seawater level,” he said. Around 24,000 hectares or 40 percent of Jakarta’s land mass is lower than sea level. /
/ The five-year-cycle floods have been predicted to hit Jakarta early this year, but some people said that this time was worse than the floods in 2007 that had submerged Jakarta and suburban areas and claimed more than 80 lives. /
/ “Our map shows that about 50 percent of Jakarta is under water, ranging from 25 centimeters to 4 meters,” Johan Freddy, an official with National Disaster Management Agency, was quoted as saying.
He added that nearly 100,000 houses have been floodedleading to the displacement of 10,000 people into temporary shelters /
/ Rini, who lives in West Jakarta's Jelambar neighborhood since childhood, said the floods in Jelambar last week were the worst she has experienced in her life. "I hope the rainy season would end soon so that the water in the streets would subside."
But Rini's wish may not be realized after weathermen warned that rains would continue and may prolong the flooding in the metropolis that has already killed 26 persons and displaced some 250,000.
/
But Rini's wish may not be realized after weathermen warned that rains would continue and may prolong the flooding in the metropolis that has already killed 26 persons and displaced some 250,000.
/
Worse than 2007 and 2002 in some facts -
Jakarta floods 2013 damages cost 32 trillion Rp ($3.3 billion); Jakarta floods 2007 damages cost 2.01 trillion Rp; Jakarta floods 2002 damages cost 1.51 trillion Rp;
/ The Association of General Insurance Companies (AAUI) estimated its members would have to pay claims higher than those paid in 2007 and 2002, the years when major floods also hit Jakarta."The flood [in the past few days] has affected wider areas in Jakarta. So we are preparing for higher claim amounts for both properties and vehicles. We cannot specifically mention the figures right now as we are still assessing all reports," AAUI executive director Julian Noor said during a telephone interview Monday. Based on AAUI data, insurance companies paid a total of 2.01 trillion rupiah (about Bt6.2 billion) in flood-related claims in 2007. The figure comprised Rp2 trillion in property claims and Rp15 billion in vehicle claims. In 2002, the amount stood at Rp1.51 trillion, comprising property claims of Rp1.5 trillion and vehicle claims of Rp14 billion. /
/ The recent floods in Jakarta and surrounding areas are estimated to have caused Rp 32 trillion ($3.3 billion) in losses. “The figure for the losses incurred by the floods is Rp 32 trillion. This includes potential losses in the Greater Jakarta areas [Jabodetabek] of about Rp 7 trillion to Rp 8 trillion, while the economic recovery [cost] for those areas is predicted to reach 3-4 times, or around Rp 21 trillion to Rp 32 trillion,” Yani Miryam, head of the women’s wing of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura), said on Wednesday. /
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/ Jakarta will likely never be rid of flooding entirely, as its causes have become more complex due to the emergence of new flood-prone areas, a disaster agency says. “The scope and problems [causing] the floods in Jakarta continue to increase. Aside from the natural factors, it’s also contributed to by anthropogenic [man-made] factors,” said National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in a press release on Sunday. “Nature used to be the dominant factor before the ’70s. After that, the causes of floods became more complex. The combination of natural and anthropogenic [factors] is what makes the floods to happen. “Jakarta will never be entirely free from floods. Various efforts to address it always lack speed,” he added. /
Jakarta will never be entirely free from floods (because Sunda plate is sinking) and goverment know this fact:
Moving the capital -
/ According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, 27 of the 44 subdistricts in Jakarta were affected by the floods. Along with the massive flooding, the idea of moving the nation’s capital to a new location has been gaining traction over the past few years since Jakarta can now no longer handle being the capital and economic center of Indonesia simultaneously. This year’s flooding disaster is the latest in a regular series of floods in Jakarta, but many feel it is different this time. It is likely that in the past floods in the capital were not so extensively televised and people across the archipelago heard the news only after the event. Many would only have known of the story from various newspapers published the following day instead of watching live streaming TV news.In addition to the traffic congestion, floods should be the other major reason for the government to seriously consider the idea of moving the nation’s capital to a new location. The unbearable agony of Jakarta’s floods makes the idea very realistic. Jakarta is so densely populated and dirty that it no longer can cope as the nation’s capital. With Jakarta being the crowded center of government, commerce and education, the central government and the House of Representatives must seek the best way to avoid flooding and traffic congestion in the city. /
/ The state of emergency declared after flooding struck large swaths of Jakarta on Thursday has reignited long-standing discussions on whether to relocate the nation’s capital. People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Taufiq Kiemas said on Friday that the emergency should be a wake-up call for the government. “It’s time to seriously think about moving the capital,” Taufiq told reporters. “Jakarta has been paralyzed by the ongoing floods. Administrative and business activities can’t proceed properly. This has obviously worsened the many unresolved problems faced by the city, which I think cannot be solved by conventional measures.”
Taufiq suggested Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, as a potential site for a relocated national capital, as the tiny metropolis of 170,000 people is less prone to floods. Public services ground to a halt and the business of government was brought to a standstill on Thursday. Among the disruptions was the two-hour postponement of a bilateral meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Argentine President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner after the Presidential Palace was inundated to a depth of 20 centimeters. /
Taufiq suggested Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, as a potential site for a relocated national capital, as the tiny metropolis of 170,000 people is less prone to floods. Public services ground to a halt and the business of government was brought to a standstill on Thursday. Among the disruptions was the two-hour postponement of a bilateral meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Argentine President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner after the Presidential Palace was inundated to a depth of 20 centimeters. /
/ Amid the recent flooding that has crippled the city, many have also suggested that the city can no longer cope with big natural disasters because its infrastructure is obsolete. Velix Wanggai, Yudhoyono’s special adviser on regional autonomy and development, said the president wanted the options to be comprehensively and openly discussed by the public so that best solutions can be obtained. The first option was to keep Jakarta the capital of the government and the country’s center of economic and trade activities, which it currently enjoys, he said.“But that means we must totally solve the problems of traffic congestion, transportation, flooding and land management to cope with the increasing complexity of the city,” said Velix. The second alternative was to maintain Jakarta as the capital, but move all the government offices to another place. This, Velix said, would ease the city’s burden.
The third alternative, he said, was building a totally new capital in other city. Several people have suggested that the capital be moved to Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan or near Jonggol in West Java. /
Relocation of squatters -
/ Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has told Jakarta mayors, subdistrict and district leaders to speed up the relocation of squatters living on riverbanks and embankments. Jokowi held a meeting on Wednesday with five mayors, 75 subdistrict leaders and 26 district leaders to discuss post-flood work plans. “We have to work fast. I call on all leaders and mayors to use a soft approach when relocating residents [from riverbanks and embankment areas]. We have to do it nicely, using dialogue to explain to them that living on riverbanks is in violation of the bylaw, and so on,” Jokowi said at City Hall on Wednesday. The governor added that he would lend a hand to the leaders if the suggested approach did not work.“If it becomes too burdensome, let me know. If I have to see to it myself, I’ll go,” he said. “ We need to start disseminating news of the relocation so we can start moving them in April or May. We have lots of things to prepare,” he said. The urge to work fast was supported by the leaders, who deemed that this was a good moment to carry out the plan. “This is the perfect moment to start informing the residents affected by the floods about the relocation. They are traumatized by the floods so it is likely that they will easily accept the idea of relocating,” East Jakarta Mayor HR Krisdianto said, adding that “we can start [disseminating the plan] as early as February. /
Pakistan SINKING:
/ Twenty-five dead in Pakistan floods. Heavy rain in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 25 people and injured more than 50, emergency officials say. skynews.com /
/ At least 34 people have been killed and tens of others have been injured as heavy rains and floods hit various regions across Pakistan. presstv.com /
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Indonesia:
Insurers count the cost in Jakarta
As the floodwater began to recede in some parts of Jakarta on Monday, insurance companies and retail shops started to calculate claims and losses resulting from massive flooding in the past few days.
The Association of General Insurance Companies (AAUI) estimated its members would have to pay claims higher than those paid in 2007 and 2002, the years when major floods also hit Jakarta.
"The flood [in the past few days] has affected wider areas in Jakarta. So we are preparing for higher claim amounts for both properties and vehicles. We cannot specifically mention the figures right now as we are still assessing all reports," AAUI executive director Julian Noor said during a telephone interview Monday.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) reported that the floods had decreased stocks by an average of 10-15 per cent for players in the retail industry and had caused billions in losses for retailers whose outlets became submerged in floodwater.
The floods have not only submerged residential areas, but have also covered toll roads leading to ports, including the toll road to Tanjung Priok Port and the toll road to Merak Port.
Aprindo deputy secretary-general Satria Hamid said the movement of stocks from suppliers had yet to return to its maximum level. "We estimate that the supply of stocks will return to normal within four days," he said.
Based on AAUI data, insurance companies paid a total of 2.01 trillion rupiah (about Bt6.2 billion) in flood-related claims in 2007. The figure comprised Rp2 trillion in property claims and Rp15 billion in vehicle claims.
In 2002, the amount stood at Rp1.51 trillion, comprising property claims of Rp1.5 trillion and vehicle claims of Rp14 billion.
According to Julian, the majority of private car and house owners in Indonesia possess basic insurance products that protect cars from accident and theft as well as houses from fire.
To receive protection from flood damage, they have to purchase additional insurance coverage. However, in the business or commercial sector, most properties must buy all-risk insurance — floods included — as required by banks, Julian added.
Similar to AAUI, state-owned insurance firm PT Jasindo also estimates that claim amounts will exceed those of 2007 and 2002.
Jasindo automotive division head Sahata Lumbantobing said that in 2007, the claims it received mostly came from North Jakarta, such as Kelapa Gading and Pantai Indah Kapuk, considered to be flood-prone areas.
"Now we've also received claim reports from the Thamrin area," he said. As of Monday, Jasindo had received nine car claims, four for cars parked in the flooded UOB Plaza.
PT Zurich Insurance Indonesia president director Sancoyo Setiabudi said the company had deployed several tow trucks for its customers.
"We haven't been able to estimate the flood damage we must cover as the claim figures keep changing. Last week we received dozens of reports. This week we will probably receive more," he said.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had previously predicted that heavy rainfall in Jakarta would peak on January 27.
As the floodwater began to recede in some parts of Jakarta on Monday, insurance companies and retail shops started to calculate claims and losses resulting from massive flooding in the past few days.
The Association of General Insurance Companies (AAUI) estimated its members would have to pay claims higher than those paid in 2007 and 2002, the years when major floods also hit Jakarta.
"The flood [in the past few days] has affected wider areas in Jakarta. So we are preparing for higher claim amounts for both properties and vehicles. We cannot specifically mention the figures right now as we are still assessing all reports," AAUI executive director Julian Noor said during a telephone interview Monday.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) reported that the floods had decreased stocks by an average of 10-15 per cent for players in the retail industry and had caused billions in losses for retailers whose outlets became submerged in floodwater.
The floods have not only submerged residential areas, but have also covered toll roads leading to ports, including the toll road to Tanjung Priok Port and the toll road to Merak Port.
Aprindo deputy secretary-general Satria Hamid said the movement of stocks from suppliers had yet to return to its maximum level. "We estimate that the supply of stocks will return to normal within four days," he said.
Based on AAUI data, insurance companies paid a total of 2.01 trillion rupiah (about Bt6.2 billion) in flood-related claims in 2007. The figure comprised Rp2 trillion in property claims and Rp15 billion in vehicle claims.
In 2002, the amount stood at Rp1.51 trillion, comprising property claims of Rp1.5 trillion and vehicle claims of Rp14 billion.
According to Julian, the majority of private car and house owners in Indonesia possess basic insurance products that protect cars from accident and theft as well as houses from fire.
To receive protection from flood damage, they have to purchase additional insurance coverage. However, in the business or commercial sector, most properties must buy all-risk insurance — floods included — as required by banks, Julian added.
Similar to AAUI, state-owned insurance firm PT Jasindo also estimates that claim amounts will exceed those of 2007 and 2002.
Jasindo automotive division head Sahata Lumbantobing said that in 2007, the claims it received mostly came from North Jakarta, such as Kelapa Gading and Pantai Indah Kapuk, considered to be flood-prone areas.
"Now we've also received claim reports from the Thamrin area," he said. As of Monday, Jasindo had received nine car claims, four for cars parked in the flooded UOB Plaza.
PT Zurich Insurance Indonesia president director Sancoyo Setiabudi said the company had deployed several tow trucks for its customers.
"We haven't been able to estimate the flood damage we must cover as the claim figures keep changing. Last week we received dozens of reports. This week we will probably receive more," he said.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had previously predicted that heavy rainfall in Jakarta would peak on January 27.
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Total Losses for Jakarta Flooding Hit Rp 32 Trillion
The recent floods in Jakarta and surrounding areas are estimated to have caused Rp 32 trillion ($3.3 billion) in losses.
“The figure for the losses incurred by the floods is Rp 32 trillion. This includes potential losses in the Greater Jakarta areas [Jabodetabek] of about Rp 7 trillion to Rp 8 trillion, while the economic recovery [cost] for those areas is predicted to reach 3-4 times, or around Rp 21 trillion to Rp 32 trillion,” Yani Miryam, head of the women’s wing of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura), said on Wednesday.
Yani regretted the huge loss, saying that Rp 32 trillion could be used to build infrastructure. She urged the government to solve the persistent flooding problem.
“Until now, several roads in Jakarta still could not be crossed because they were inundated,” she said.
Yani recommended several anticipatory measures for the government to take in addressing the flood problem comprehensively such as the need to build infrastructure, funding and political will.
Anticipatory measures are to accelerate the development of the Rp 1.43 trillion Jakarta Emergency Dredging Initiative project, which would help increase the capacity of the West Flood Canal, as well as the building of a Rp 700 billion, 2.1-kilometer canal project from the Ciliwung River to the East Flood Canal.
“We’re also suggesting to accelerate [the] making [of] 10,000 infiltration wells, developing the multifunction deep tunnel [project] which is expected to require around Rp 16 trillion in investment, and to accelerate the development of the Ciawi dam.”
She continued, “to improve the land condition in the upstream and downstream areas by increasing green areas so that they can absorb more water.”
Yani added that financial support to accelerate the infrastructure development for the flood control programs could be obtained from the government, public and private sectors.
She added that the development of the Rp 16 trillion multifunction deep tunnel project should be funded jointly between the Jakarta city administration, the central government and investors.
Funding for the flood control program could also be raised from the private sector by asking companies to allocate their corporate social responsibility program budgets to support the flood control projects.
“We encourage the corporate [sector] to allocate their CSR budget to support flood control programs so that the flood problem can be solved jointly by the public, government and corporate [sector],” Yani said.
Her organization also encourages all political parties to give concrete support to the central government and city administration to solve t he flood problem.
Yani added that the stability of a country is reflected in its ability to provide sufficient infrastructure, including how it handles the flood problem.
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has vowed to audit documents relating to the design of buildings in the capital immediately after the city finishes with flood-relief efforts.
The governor alleged that many buildings were built on lands that were supposed to be used as water catchment and green areas, disrupting the city’s drainage system and causing flooding.
The recent floods in Jakarta and surrounding areas are estimated to have caused Rp 32 trillion ($3.3 billion) in losses.
“The figure for the losses incurred by the floods is Rp 32 trillion. This includes potential losses in the Greater Jakarta areas [Jabodetabek] of about Rp 7 trillion to Rp 8 trillion, while the economic recovery [cost] for those areas is predicted to reach 3-4 times, or around Rp 21 trillion to Rp 32 trillion,” Yani Miryam, head of the women’s wing of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura), said on Wednesday.
Yani regretted the huge loss, saying that Rp 32 trillion could be used to build infrastructure. She urged the government to solve the persistent flooding problem.
“Until now, several roads in Jakarta still could not be crossed because they were inundated,” she said.
Yani recommended several anticipatory measures for the government to take in addressing the flood problem comprehensively such as the need to build infrastructure, funding and political will.
Anticipatory measures are to accelerate the development of the Rp 1.43 trillion Jakarta Emergency Dredging Initiative project, which would help increase the capacity of the West Flood Canal, as well as the building of a Rp 700 billion, 2.1-kilometer canal project from the Ciliwung River to the East Flood Canal.
“We’re also suggesting to accelerate [the] making [of] 10,000 infiltration wells, developing the multifunction deep tunnel [project] which is expected to require around Rp 16 trillion in investment, and to accelerate the development of the Ciawi dam.”
She continued, “to improve the land condition in the upstream and downstream areas by increasing green areas so that they can absorb more water.”
Yani added that financial support to accelerate the infrastructure development for the flood control programs could be obtained from the government, public and private sectors.
She added that the development of the Rp 16 trillion multifunction deep tunnel project should be funded jointly between the Jakarta city administration, the central government and investors.
Funding for the flood control program could also be raised from the private sector by asking companies to allocate their corporate social responsibility program budgets to support the flood control projects.
“We encourage the corporate [sector] to allocate their CSR budget to support flood control programs so that the flood problem can be solved jointly by the public, government and corporate [sector],” Yani said.
Her organization also encourages all political parties to give concrete support to the central government and city administration to solve t he flood problem.
Yani added that the stability of a country is reflected in its ability to provide sufficient infrastructure, including how it handles the flood problem.
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has vowed to audit documents relating to the design of buildings in the capital immediately after the city finishes with flood-relief efforts.
The governor alleged that many buildings were built on lands that were supposed to be used as water catchment and green areas, disrupting the city’s drainage system and causing flooding.
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Heavy flooding kills 15 in Indonesia
Heavy flooding in Indonesia, triggered by days of heavy rain, has killed at least 15 people across the country.
Thousands of homes and the central business district (CBD) have been inundated and traffic has come to a standstill in Jakarta, DPA reported on Thursday.
Of the eleven people killed in the floods two died in Jakarta and four family members in Semarang, the capital of the Central Java Province.
“Our map shows that about 50 percent of Jakarta is under water, ranging from 25 centimeters to 4 meters,” Johan Freddy, an official with National Disaster Management Agency, was quoted as saying.
He added that nearly 100,000 houses have been flooded leading to the displacement of 10,000 people into temporary shelters.
A state of emergency was declared by Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, who promised food and inflatable boats to flood victims.
“We have been informed that rains could intensify in the coming days. We have declared an emergency so that authorities can move quickly to provide assistance,” the governor said.
During the annual rainy season, which peaks between December and February, Jakarta is prone to flooding, exacerbated by clogged rivers and sewers.
In 2007, 57 people were killed in heavy flooding which forced 420,000 to leave their homes in the capital.
Heavy flooding in Indonesia, triggered by days of heavy rain, has killed at least 15 people across the country.
Thousands of homes and the central business district (CBD) have been inundated and traffic has come to a standstill in Jakarta, DPA reported on Thursday.
Of the eleven people killed in the floods two died in Jakarta and four family members in Semarang, the capital of the Central Java Province.
“Our map shows that about 50 percent of Jakarta is under water, ranging from 25 centimeters to 4 meters,” Johan Freddy, an official with National Disaster Management Agency, was quoted as saying.
He added that nearly 100,000 houses have been flooded leading to the displacement of 10,000 people into temporary shelters.
A state of emergency was declared by Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, who promised food and inflatable boats to flood victims.
“We have been informed that rains could intensify in the coming days. We have declared an emergency so that authorities can move quickly to provide assistance,” the governor said.
During the annual rainy season, which peaks between December and February, Jakarta is prone to flooding, exacerbated by clogged rivers and sewers.
In 2007, 57 people were killed in heavy flooding which forced 420,000 to leave their homes in the capital.
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Relocation of capital from Jakarta: No pain, no gain
All of Jakarta is in a state of emergency until Jan. 27 following the massive flooding that has paralyzed the city. Traffic ground to a standstill in many parts of Jakarta and thousands were displaced as floods triggered by days of heavy rain inundated much of the capital. Authorities were seeking to evacuate nearly 100,000 people whose homes had been submerged.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, 27 of the 44 subdistricts in Jakarta were affected by the floods.
Along with the massive flooding, the idea of moving the nation’s capital to a new location has been gaining traction over the past few years since Jakarta can now no longer handle being the capital and economic center of Indonesia simultaneously. This year’s flooding disaster is the latest in a regular series of floods in Jakarta, but many feel it is different this time. It is likely that in the past floods in the capital were not so extensively televised and people across the archipelago heard the news only after the event. Many would only have known of the story from various newspapers published the following day instead of watching live streaming TV news.
In addition to the traffic congestion, floods should be the other major reason for the government to seriously consider the idea of moving the nation’s capital to a new location. The unbearable agony of Jakarta’s floods makes the idea very realistic. Jakarta is so densely populated and dirty that it no longer can cope as the nation’s capital. With Jakarta being the crowded center of government, commerce and education, the central government and the House of Representatives must seek the best way to avoid flooding and traffic congestion in the city.
One might say that what is urgently needed right now is to build many more canals that are crucial to flood prevention. Whether or not the national capital is moved, floods threaten Jakarta annually. During quiet times, the canals could be used as tourist attractions. Rivers have been transformed into tourist attractions in many of the world’s great cities.
This canal construction, however, should not stop the central government from putting the idea of moving the capital into practice. Unlimited housing and building construction in Jakarta have greatly contributed to the huge floods. As the center of government, Jakarta is supposed to have adequate green spaces. The capital’s diminishing capacity requires further strategic planning and scheduling to be done outside the city.
The problems of Jakarta cannot be solved in a conventional manner. As the capital of the country, Jakarta is supposed to have minimal problems considering its position as the center of government and business. Unintegrated infrastructure and poor spatial planning have turned Jakarta into a very energy-wasteful city. Such a city can certainly not be the center of government.
The idea of moving the capital would have several benefits, among which would be better distributed development. The vast circulation of 70 percent of the nation’s money in Jakarta would be more equally distributed across the country.
Relocation of the capital might focus on government departments building their headquarters in different regions, for instance, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry in Bali; Forestry, Energy and Mineral Resources and Environment Ministries in Kalimantan; Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, and Disadvantaged Regions Ministries in Sulawesi, and many others.
Others believe that the new capital should go to a completely new location outside Java. One area in Indonesia suitable for a new government center is Kalimantan, especially Palangkaraya city. Palangkaraya is geographically located in the middle of Indonesia, so it has easy access to various parts of the country. Besides, Palangkaraya is a region with flat terrain, abundant water availability, and has no volcanoes, so it is not prone to disaster.
The Governor of Central Kalimantan, Teras Narang, has stated that the local government is ready to provide land if the central government decides to move the seat of government to Palangkaraya. Moreover, the idea of moving the seat of government to the province was proposed by president Sukarno as early 1957.
In the United States, Washington D.C. is just the center of government, while business districts are scattered across the states. The CNN Center is located in downtown Atlanta, the New York Times in New York City, Hollywood in Los Angeles, the car industry in Detroit, great universities in Cambridge and Boston, even the gambling center is in Las Vegas. Americans do not necessarily migrate to Washington to enjoy a better standard of living, get the best education, or become successful businesspeople.
Some countries have been successful in their attempts to move their old capitals to new places, like Istanbul to Ankara in Turkey, Bonn to Berlin in Germany, Melbourne to Canberra in Australia, Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in Brazil, or Karachi to Islamabad in Pakistan. Success in capital relocation can happen both in developed and developing countries.
Any attempt to relocate the capital, therefore, not only marks a historic landmark but also provides a boost to the region. The relocation of the capital is for the long-term benefit calling for collective sacrifice and greatness of soul. No pain, no gain.
All of Jakarta is in a state of emergency until Jan. 27 following the massive flooding that has paralyzed the city. Traffic ground to a standstill in many parts of Jakarta and thousands were displaced as floods triggered by days of heavy rain inundated much of the capital. Authorities were seeking to evacuate nearly 100,000 people whose homes had been submerged.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, 27 of the 44 subdistricts in Jakarta were affected by the floods.
Along with the massive flooding, the idea of moving the nation’s capital to a new location has been gaining traction over the past few years since Jakarta can now no longer handle being the capital and economic center of Indonesia simultaneously. This year’s flooding disaster is the latest in a regular series of floods in Jakarta, but many feel it is different this time. It is likely that in the past floods in the capital were not so extensively televised and people across the archipelago heard the news only after the event. Many would only have known of the story from various newspapers published the following day instead of watching live streaming TV news.
In addition to the traffic congestion, floods should be the other major reason for the government to seriously consider the idea of moving the nation’s capital to a new location. The unbearable agony of Jakarta’s floods makes the idea very realistic. Jakarta is so densely populated and dirty that it no longer can cope as the nation’s capital. With Jakarta being the crowded center of government, commerce and education, the central government and the House of Representatives must seek the best way to avoid flooding and traffic congestion in the city.
One might say that what is urgently needed right now is to build many more canals that are crucial to flood prevention. Whether or not the national capital is moved, floods threaten Jakarta annually. During quiet times, the canals could be used as tourist attractions. Rivers have been transformed into tourist attractions in many of the world’s great cities.
This canal construction, however, should not stop the central government from putting the idea of moving the capital into practice. Unlimited housing and building construction in Jakarta have greatly contributed to the huge floods. As the center of government, Jakarta is supposed to have adequate green spaces. The capital’s diminishing capacity requires further strategic planning and scheduling to be done outside the city.
The problems of Jakarta cannot be solved in a conventional manner. As the capital of the country, Jakarta is supposed to have minimal problems considering its position as the center of government and business. Unintegrated infrastructure and poor spatial planning have turned Jakarta into a very energy-wasteful city. Such a city can certainly not be the center of government.
The idea of moving the capital would have several benefits, among which would be better distributed development. The vast circulation of 70 percent of the nation’s money in Jakarta would be more equally distributed across the country.
Relocation of the capital might focus on government departments building their headquarters in different regions, for instance, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry in Bali; Forestry, Energy and Mineral Resources and Environment Ministries in Kalimantan; Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, and Disadvantaged Regions Ministries in Sulawesi, and many others.
Others believe that the new capital should go to a completely new location outside Java. One area in Indonesia suitable for a new government center is Kalimantan, especially Palangkaraya city. Palangkaraya is geographically located in the middle of Indonesia, so it has easy access to various parts of the country. Besides, Palangkaraya is a region with flat terrain, abundant water availability, and has no volcanoes, so it is not prone to disaster.
The Governor of Central Kalimantan, Teras Narang, has stated that the local government is ready to provide land if the central government decides to move the seat of government to Palangkaraya. Moreover, the idea of moving the seat of government to the province was proposed by president Sukarno as early 1957.
In the United States, Washington D.C. is just the center of government, while business districts are scattered across the states. The CNN Center is located in downtown Atlanta, the New York Times in New York City, Hollywood in Los Angeles, the car industry in Detroit, great universities in Cambridge and Boston, even the gambling center is in Las Vegas. Americans do not necessarily migrate to Washington to enjoy a better standard of living, get the best education, or become successful businesspeople.
Some countries have been successful in their attempts to move their old capitals to new places, like Istanbul to Ankara in Turkey, Bonn to Berlin in Germany, Melbourne to Canberra in Australia, Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in Brazil, or Karachi to Islamabad in Pakistan. Success in capital relocation can happen both in developed and developing countries.
Any attempt to relocate the capital, therefore, not only marks a historic landmark but also provides a boost to the region. The relocation of the capital is for the long-term benefit calling for collective sacrifice and greatness of soul. No pain, no gain.
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Is It Time to Talk About a New Capital for Indonesia Again?
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has floated three options in response to the proposal to move the nation’s capital out of Jakarta following the suggestion that the city can no longer accommodate a large number of people.
Amid the recent flooding that has crippled the city, many have also suggested that the city can no longer cope with big natural disasters because its infrastructure is obsolete.
Velix Wanggai, Yudhoyono’s special adviser on regional autonomy and development, said the president wanted the options to be comprehensively and openly discussed by the public so that best solutions can be obtained.
The first option was to keep Jakarta the capital of the government and the country’s center of economic and trade activities, which it currently enjoys, he said.
“But that means we must totally solve the problems of traffic congestion, transportation, flooding and land management to cope with the increasing complexity of the city,” said Velix.
The second alternative was to maintain Jakarta as the capital, but move all the government offices to another place.
This, Velix said, would ease the city’s burden.
The third alternative, he said, was building a totally new capital in other city.
Several people have suggested that the capital be moved to Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan or near Jonggol in West Java.
Sukarno, the country’s founding president, had proposed making Palangkaraya the nation’s capital because it lies at the geographic center of the country.
His successor, Suharto, later proposed moving the capital to Jonggol.
Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said last week that his province should serve as the country’s capital, just as it had during World War II.
Velix said that all input from the public will be considered by the president.
“The president has asked all people to discuss the three options. As moving the capital will profoundly determine the fate of the nation, full political support is needed,” he said.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa said that he favored reorganizing the capital rather than moving it elsewhere.
“In my opinion, it is more imperative for Greater Jakarta to be reorganized in a better way,” Hatta said. “[It needs] a master plan, with a single authority for transportation services.”
He added that relocating the capital was not a simple solution.
“I read about such viewpoints, but we should not be thinking of [moving the capital] just because there is flooding,” he said.
Jakarta’s worst floods in six years have paralyzed the city, leaving at least 20 people dead and forcing thousands of people from their homes.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has floated three options in response to the proposal to move the nation’s capital out of Jakarta following the suggestion that the city can no longer accommodate a large number of people.
Amid the recent flooding that has crippled the city, many have also suggested that the city can no longer cope with big natural disasters because its infrastructure is obsolete.
Velix Wanggai, Yudhoyono’s special adviser on regional autonomy and development, said the president wanted the options to be comprehensively and openly discussed by the public so that best solutions can be obtained.
The first option was to keep Jakarta the capital of the government and the country’s center of economic and trade activities, which it currently enjoys, he said.
“But that means we must totally solve the problems of traffic congestion, transportation, flooding and land management to cope with the increasing complexity of the city,” said Velix.
The second alternative was to maintain Jakarta as the capital, but move all the government offices to another place.
This, Velix said, would ease the city’s burden.
The third alternative, he said, was building a totally new capital in other city.
Several people have suggested that the capital be moved to Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan or near Jonggol in West Java.
Sukarno, the country’s founding president, had proposed making Palangkaraya the nation’s capital because it lies at the geographic center of the country.
His successor, Suharto, later proposed moving the capital to Jonggol.
Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said last week that his province should serve as the country’s capital, just as it had during World War II.
Velix said that all input from the public will be considered by the president.
“The president has asked all people to discuss the three options. As moving the capital will profoundly determine the fate of the nation, full political support is needed,” he said.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa said that he favored reorganizing the capital rather than moving it elsewhere.
“In my opinion, it is more imperative for Greater Jakarta to be reorganized in a better way,” Hatta said. “[It needs] a master plan, with a single authority for transportation services.”
He added that relocating the capital was not a simple solution.
“I read about such viewpoints, but we should not be thinking of [moving the capital] just because there is flooding,” he said.
Jakarta’s worst floods in six years have paralyzed the city, leaving at least 20 people dead and forcing thousands of people from their homes.
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After floods, Jakarta gears up to relocate squatters
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has told Jakarta mayors, subdistrict and district leaders to speed up the relocation of squatters living on riverbanks and embankments.
Jokowi held a meeting on Wednesday with five mayors, 75 subdistrict leaders and 26 district leaders to discuss post-flood work plans.
“We have to work fast. I call on all leaders and mayors to use a soft approach when relocating residents [from riverbanks and embankment areas]. We have to do it nicely, using dialogue to explain to them that living on riverbanks is in violation of the bylaw, and so on,” Jokowi said at City Hall on Wednesday.
The governor added that he would lend a hand to the leaders if the suggested approach did not work.
“If it becomes too burdensome, let me know. If I have to see to it myself, I’ll go,” he said. “ We need to start disseminating news of the relocation so we can start moving them in April or May. We have lots of things to prepare,” he said.
The urge to work fast was supported by the leaders, who deemed that this was a good moment to carry out the plan.
“This is the perfect moment to start informing the residents affected by the floods about the relocation. They are traumatized by the floods so it is likely that they will easily accept the idea of relocating,” East Jakarta Mayor HR Krisdianto said, adding that “we can start [disseminating the plan] as early as February.”
Jokowi has announced the administration’s plan to normalize 13 rivers that cross the city, as well as dredge all dikes and lakes in the capital after most areas of the capital were inundated by floodwaters last week.
Tens of thousands of squatters are currently living on the riverbanks and nearby embankments illegally, causing the narrowing of the rivers and sedimentation due to careless lifestyles.
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has told Jakarta mayors, subdistrict and district leaders to speed up the relocation of squatters living on riverbanks and embankments.
Jokowi held a meeting on Wednesday with five mayors, 75 subdistrict leaders and 26 district leaders to discuss post-flood work plans.
“We have to work fast. I call on all leaders and mayors to use a soft approach when relocating residents [from riverbanks and embankment areas]. We have to do it nicely, using dialogue to explain to them that living on riverbanks is in violation of the bylaw, and so on,” Jokowi said at City Hall on Wednesday.
The governor added that he would lend a hand to the leaders if the suggested approach did not work.
“If it becomes too burdensome, let me know. If I have to see to it myself, I’ll go,” he said. “ We need to start disseminating news of the relocation so we can start moving them in April or May. We have lots of things to prepare,” he said.
The urge to work fast was supported by the leaders, who deemed that this was a good moment to carry out the plan.
“This is the perfect moment to start informing the residents affected by the floods about the relocation. They are traumatized by the floods so it is likely that they will easily accept the idea of relocating,” East Jakarta Mayor HR Krisdianto said, adding that “we can start [disseminating the plan] as early as February.”
Jokowi has announced the administration’s plan to normalize 13 rivers that cross the city, as well as dredge all dikes and lakes in the capital after most areas of the capital were inundated by floodwaters last week.
Tens of thousands of squatters are currently living on the riverbanks and nearby embankments illegally, causing the narrowing of the rivers and sedimentation due to careless lifestyles.
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Experts cite causes of Jakarta's perennial floods
JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Rini Huang, a resident in this capital city, has succeeded in freeing herself after being trapped for three days in her house which was flooded by neck-high waters last week.
"The water and electricity supply had been cut here, the roads were flooded by muddy waters," Rini told Xinhua, "I cannot cook, wash, or even contact my friends or relatives."
Rini, who lives in West Jakarta's Jelambar neighborhood since childhood, said the floods in Jelambar last week were the worst she has experienced in her life. "I hope the rainy season would end soon so that the water in the streets would subside."
But Rini's wish may not be realized after weathermen warned that rains would continue and may prolong the flooding in the metropolis that has already killed 26 persons and displaced some 250,000.
Last Thursday's waist-deep floods paralyzed the city and Jakarta's main thoroughfare was covered with mud. Even the presidential palace was not spared as waters flooded the complex for the first time in Jakarta's history.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was pictured standing in floodwaters with his trousers rolled up to his knees.
The floods brought Jakarta's already infamous traffic into a standstill, with drivers trying to squeeze out from the main streets to make a detour and motorcyclists struggled to wade through the floods.
Jakarta, Southeast Asia's largest metropolis with a population of about 10 million, sits on a low-lying swampland with 13 rivers flowing through the city. About 40 percent of the city's land area is below sea level, making it prone to flooding.
Survey from the University of Indonesia's Center for Political Studies during the height of the gubernatorial election campaign last July showed 22 percent of Jakarta residents it surveyed named floods as Jakarta's second biggest problem that need to be solved by the new governor.
Jakarta's successive governments have done little to mitigate the threat. Flood control program centered on the construction of a large canal and a reservoir project that would reduce the flow of waters from rivers has not been implemented after decades of planning.
During the 2007's mega floods that killed 50 and displaced more than 300,000, then Governor Sutiyoso wash his hands of any responsibility saying that the floods were "natural phenomenon" that occur every five years.
Joko Widodo, the capital's new governor who assumed office last October, was unlucky as the five-year cycle of floods happened just a few months into his term. Unlike his predecessor, Governor Widodo said that Jakarta's flooding could not be solved by just blaming God.
He promised that the government would soon adopt a flood control project that would move waters from the streets faster and thus mitigate its effects on the economic lifeblood of the city.
But Rini pointed out that despite the promise of politicians to solve flooding during their campaign she has never seen any maintenance or improvement of the city's drainage system. "Jakarta citizens have the bad habit of dumping their garbage into rivers and gutters. Why can't the government do something about this?" Rini said.
Marco Kusumawijaya, an urban planning expert at the Jakarta- based Rujak Center for Urban Studies, told Xinhua that the city's chronic flooding that occurs every year during the rainy season from October to April, is caused mainly by deforestation in upstream areas, the sinking of Jakarta, poor rain water absorption due to too much asphalt and concrete, as well as the clogged water ducts and poor drainage.
"I don't know why the Jakarta administration doesn't prefer to coordinate and cooperate with the neighboring provinces to reduce the forest cutting in the river catchment area," Marco said, adding that the "city can also install more pipe to supply the tap water so residents will not be forced to extract groundwater.
Waters in Jakarta's 13 rivers mostly come from the hills near the West Java's city of Bogor where deforestation is rampant following the construction of weekend villas and travel resorts.
According to Marco, only 40 to 50 percent of Jakarta population may enjoy the tap water, forcing others to pump groundwater.
The Bandung Institute of Technology's research shows that Jakarta is sinking at a rate of 10 centimeters a year due to groundwater exploration and pressure from high-rise buildings. Besides, green open spaces in Jakarta which used to absorb water is now used for the construction of malls, office buildings, apartments and other concrete structures, causing the surface rain water to flood the city's streets. "The city should issue a regulation to control the use of public land. It should tax or punish the developers who do not build infiltration wells or tanks for rain water," Marco said.
But Marco doubts whether the government would actually heed his call since the construction boom will bring more economic interests.
Andrinof Chaniago, a public policy analyst at University of Indonesia, told Xinhua that Jakarta is now pursuing short-term economic expansion and ignoring the quality of growth and the city residents' welfare. "City authorities should overhaul the city's antiquated drainage system to create a flood-free metropolis," Andrinof said.
JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Rini Huang, a resident in this capital city, has succeeded in freeing herself after being trapped for three days in her house which was flooded by neck-high waters last week.
"The water and electricity supply had been cut here, the roads were flooded by muddy waters," Rini told Xinhua, "I cannot cook, wash, or even contact my friends or relatives."
Rini, who lives in West Jakarta's Jelambar neighborhood since childhood, said the floods in Jelambar last week were the worst she has experienced in her life. "I hope the rainy season would end soon so that the water in the streets would subside."
But Rini's wish may not be realized after weathermen warned that rains would continue and may prolong the flooding in the metropolis that has already killed 26 persons and displaced some 250,000.
Last Thursday's waist-deep floods paralyzed the city and Jakarta's main thoroughfare was covered with mud. Even the presidential palace was not spared as waters flooded the complex for the first time in Jakarta's history.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was pictured standing in floodwaters with his trousers rolled up to his knees.
The floods brought Jakarta's already infamous traffic into a standstill, with drivers trying to squeeze out from the main streets to make a detour and motorcyclists struggled to wade through the floods.
Jakarta, Southeast Asia's largest metropolis with a population of about 10 million, sits on a low-lying swampland with 13 rivers flowing through the city. About 40 percent of the city's land area is below sea level, making it prone to flooding.
Survey from the University of Indonesia's Center for Political Studies during the height of the gubernatorial election campaign last July showed 22 percent of Jakarta residents it surveyed named floods as Jakarta's second biggest problem that need to be solved by the new governor.
Jakarta's successive governments have done little to mitigate the threat. Flood control program centered on the construction of a large canal and a reservoir project that would reduce the flow of waters from rivers has not been implemented after decades of planning.
During the 2007's mega floods that killed 50 and displaced more than 300,000, then Governor Sutiyoso wash his hands of any responsibility saying that the floods were "natural phenomenon" that occur every five years.
Joko Widodo, the capital's new governor who assumed office last October, was unlucky as the five-year cycle of floods happened just a few months into his term. Unlike his predecessor, Governor Widodo said that Jakarta's flooding could not be solved by just blaming God.
He promised that the government would soon adopt a flood control project that would move waters from the streets faster and thus mitigate its effects on the economic lifeblood of the city.
But Rini pointed out that despite the promise of politicians to solve flooding during their campaign she has never seen any maintenance or improvement of the city's drainage system. "Jakarta citizens have the bad habit of dumping their garbage into rivers and gutters. Why can't the government do something about this?" Rini said.
Marco Kusumawijaya, an urban planning expert at the Jakarta- based Rujak Center for Urban Studies, told Xinhua that the city's chronic flooding that occurs every year during the rainy season from October to April, is caused mainly by deforestation in upstream areas, the sinking of Jakarta, poor rain water absorption due to too much asphalt and concrete, as well as the clogged water ducts and poor drainage.
"I don't know why the Jakarta administration doesn't prefer to coordinate and cooperate with the neighboring provinces to reduce the forest cutting in the river catchment area," Marco said, adding that the "city can also install more pipe to supply the tap water so residents will not be forced to extract groundwater.
Waters in Jakarta's 13 rivers mostly come from the hills near the West Java's city of Bogor where deforestation is rampant following the construction of weekend villas and travel resorts.
According to Marco, only 40 to 50 percent of Jakarta population may enjoy the tap water, forcing others to pump groundwater.
The Bandung Institute of Technology's research shows that Jakarta is sinking at a rate of 10 centimeters a year due to groundwater exploration and pressure from high-rise buildings. Besides, green open spaces in Jakarta which used to absorb water is now used for the construction of malls, office buildings, apartments and other concrete structures, causing the surface rain water to flood the city's streets. "The city should issue a regulation to control the use of public land. It should tax or punish the developers who do not build infiltration wells or tanks for rain water," Marco said.
But Marco doubts whether the government would actually heed his call since the construction boom will bring more economic interests.
Andrinof Chaniago, a public policy analyst at University of Indonesia, told Xinhua that Jakarta is now pursuing short-term economic expansion and ignoring the quality of growth and the city residents' welfare. "City authorities should overhaul the city's antiquated drainage system to create a flood-free metropolis," Andrinof said.
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Experts challenge city, govt’s plans to address floods
Urban planners are urging the central government and the Jakarta administration to leave behind their old-fashioned ways to counter the capital’s endemic flooding problem and to start looking for eco-friendly solutions.
Elisa Sutanudjaja, an analyst with city planning watchdog the Rujak Center, said on Saturday that channeling floodwater to the sea through a waterway and deep tunnel was an ancient solution to overcoming floods.
“The government and the administration should find a solution to manage and keep the rainwater to meet their citizens’ needs for water during the dry season,” Elisa said.
“The drainage system, including waterways they insist on building, is no different from the solution proposed by the colonial government hundreds of years ago.”
Elisa said the administration should focus on adding more green spaces to absorb rainwater, rather than channel the water all the way to the sea.
“The government should change the concrete water canals into green spaces that can provide the soil the ability to absorb rainwater,” she said, citing the example of Singapore’s Kallang River, a once straight concrete drainage channel that has been restored into a natural river.
“The city is always swamped by floods during the rainy season, but faces [clean] water shortages during the dry season. The administration should change their way of thinking.”
Trisakti University urban planner Nirwono Joga echoed Elisa’s sentiments, saying that the city needed an eco-friendly approach to prevent flooding and should avoid polluting the sea with floodwater.
“The government and the administration still see heavy rainfall and floods as a disaster and don’t think about the possibility of managing the water and turning it into drinking water,” he said.
He said that 9.8 percent of the city was currently made up of green spaces, and that the government should increase that percentage to at least 30 percent.
Elisa also debated the administration’s plan to construct a deep tunnel, saying it would not solve the problem because parts of Jakarta’s land mass were around 4 meters below sea level.
“This means the administration is planning to pump the water from the deep tunnel all the way to the ground and then channel it to the sea,” she said, highlighting how inefficient and costly the project would be.
The government and the city administration say they will jointly construct a waterway to connect the Ciliwung River to the East Flood Canal and undertake a massive river dredging project in an effort to allow river water to reach Jakarta’s north coast unimpeded.
Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the Jakarta Development Planning Board (Bappeda) and the administration’s legal bureau to incorporate plans for the Rp 16 trillion (US$1.65 billion) deep tunnel in drafts of the city’s detailed spatial plan and zoning regulation (RDTR) for 2012 to 2013 and the mid-term regional development plan (RPJMD) for 2013 to 2017.
Despite the skeptics, Jakarta Public Works Agency head Ery Basworo stood by the administration’s plan on waterways and the deep tunnel.
He said it was impossible to turn canal’s concrete embankments into green spaces to absorb river water because it would destabilize the embankments.
However, he said, it was possible to dig percolation pit-like wells along the canals and percolation pits at commercial buildings to maintain the water supply.
“Also, the [deep] tunnel will spare the city from flooding. Water that inundates the ground will be moved to the deep tunnel, and then channeled to the north coast of Jakarta,” Ery said, adding the tunnel would be equipped with a sufficient number of pumps to prevent inundation, with details to follow. (nad)
Urban planners are urging the central government and the Jakarta administration to leave behind their old-fashioned ways to counter the capital’s endemic flooding problem and to start looking for eco-friendly solutions.
Elisa Sutanudjaja, an analyst with city planning watchdog the Rujak Center, said on Saturday that channeling floodwater to the sea through a waterway and deep tunnel was an ancient solution to overcoming floods.
“The government and the administration should find a solution to manage and keep the rainwater to meet their citizens’ needs for water during the dry season,” Elisa said.
“The drainage system, including waterways they insist on building, is no different from the solution proposed by the colonial government hundreds of years ago.”
Elisa said the administration should focus on adding more green spaces to absorb rainwater, rather than channel the water all the way to the sea.
“The government should change the concrete water canals into green spaces that can provide the soil the ability to absorb rainwater,” she said, citing the example of Singapore’s Kallang River, a once straight concrete drainage channel that has been restored into a natural river.
“The city is always swamped by floods during the rainy season, but faces [clean] water shortages during the dry season. The administration should change their way of thinking.”
Trisakti University urban planner Nirwono Joga echoed Elisa’s sentiments, saying that the city needed an eco-friendly approach to prevent flooding and should avoid polluting the sea with floodwater.
“The government and the administration still see heavy rainfall and floods as a disaster and don’t think about the possibility of managing the water and turning it into drinking water,” he said.
He said that 9.8 percent of the city was currently made up of green spaces, and that the government should increase that percentage to at least 30 percent.
Elisa also debated the administration’s plan to construct a deep tunnel, saying it would not solve the problem because parts of Jakarta’s land mass were around 4 meters below sea level.
“This means the administration is planning to pump the water from the deep tunnel all the way to the ground and then channel it to the sea,” she said, highlighting how inefficient and costly the project would be.
The government and the city administration say they will jointly construct a waterway to connect the Ciliwung River to the East Flood Canal and undertake a massive river dredging project in an effort to allow river water to reach Jakarta’s north coast unimpeded.
Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the Jakarta Development Planning Board (Bappeda) and the administration’s legal bureau to incorporate plans for the Rp 16 trillion (US$1.65 billion) deep tunnel in drafts of the city’s detailed spatial plan and zoning regulation (RDTR) for 2012 to 2013 and the mid-term regional development plan (RPJMD) for 2013 to 2017.
Despite the skeptics, Jakarta Public Works Agency head Ery Basworo stood by the administration’s plan on waterways and the deep tunnel.
He said it was impossible to turn canal’s concrete embankments into green spaces to absorb river water because it would destabilize the embankments.
However, he said, it was possible to dig percolation pit-like wells along the canals and percolation pits at commercial buildings to maintain the water supply.
“Also, the [deep] tunnel will spare the city from flooding. Water that inundates the ground will be moved to the deep tunnel, and then channeled to the north coast of Jakarta,” Ery said, adding the tunnel would be equipped with a sufficient number of pumps to prevent inundation, with details to follow. (nad)
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Stay alert on floods: Jokowi
Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on the city’s residents to remain alert to anticipate major floods that could hit Jakarta on Sunday, although he also indicated that the worst flooding had now already occurred.
Calming widespread rumors, Jokowi said he had spoken with Public Works Ministry officials in order to prepare for anything, including a worse case scenario, in order to minimize the risks, but declined to elaborate on those risks.
“I’ve met [with the ministry officials] to anticipate all aspects related to floods,” the governor told journalists on Friday, but was quick to add that he hoped the flooding did not materialize.
Jokowi called on the city to be more alert and cautious.
The governor said he had also requested that the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) perform rain engineering to stop the downpours, especially on Sunday.
“One thing we can do is ask the agency [for help] so that rainwater doesn’t flow into the rivers when we have a high seawater level,” he said.
Following the devastating floods that hit Jakarta earlier this month, the governor declared the city to be in a state of emergency from Jan. 17 up to Jan. 27, to enable the local authorities to take extraordinary measures.
His decision on the date was in line with subsequent expert advice that the peak of the disaster would take place on Sunday, where a full moon, triggering high tides, would coincide with heavy rain across Greater Jakarta.
National and local media outlets recently quoted Firdaus Ali, a water expert from the University of Indonesia, as predicting that the rainfall would keep increasing until Jan. 27.
Firdaus also predicted that on Jan. 26-27, when tides would rise due to gravitational forces exerted by the moon, the sun and the rotation of the earth, rainwater and water from upstream would flood all parts of Jakarta as excess river water would not be able drain off into the sea.
The scholar said the upcoming floods would probably be even worse than those of 2007 that killed more than 80 people and displaced 200,000. Firdaus issued his prediction a day after Jokowi declared the state of emergency, and the combination of the two statements has understandably triggered concern.
However, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho calmed public fears and said that the possibility of Jakarta experiencing a massive flood on Saturday or Sunday was small.
“Sea levels will rise 1-meter higher than normal levels on those days, but only a high and continuous intensity of rain would cause a flood as bad as February 2007. The rainfall on the dates will likely be a medium level,” he said.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has also reported that rain intensity between Jan. 25-28 will range from light to medium.
Eko Haryadi, a Jakarta administration spokesman, said that the administration acknowledged the probability of floods on Jan. 26-27, but added that no special preparation was being carried out by the administration.
“The governor has declared a state of emergency in the capital until Jan. 27, so yes, we have prepared for floods ever since that declaration. However, we’ve made no special preparation for Jan. 26-27 as according to the BMKG, rains on those two days won’t be heavy ,” Eko said.
“The public doesn’t need to panic, but it must stay alert as Jakarta is still in the state of emergency. Just remember that workers from related agencies, police officers and army personnel will be on duty at available posts.” (aml/fzm)
Jakarta fact box
• In November 2007, 220-centimeter high tides coupled with broken embankments in North Jakarta caused flooding in several parts of the city and heavy congestion on airport toll roads. Several flights were also delayed due to the floods.
• In December 2007, flooding caused by high tides put the coastal Muara Baru in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, under water.
• High tides coincide with a lunar event that occurs approximately every 19 years.
• Severe floods previously hit Jakarta in 1621, 1654, 1918, 1942, 1976, 1996, 2002 and 2007.
• Around 24,000 hectares or 40 percent of Jakarta’s land mass is lower than sea level.
• As many as 13 rivers flow from Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang to Jakarta; the Angke; Baru Barat; Baru Timur; Buaran; Cakung; Ciliwung; Cipinang; Grogol; Jatikramat; Krukut; Mookevart; Pesanggrahan, and Sunter rivers.
Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on the city’s residents to remain alert to anticipate major floods that could hit Jakarta on Sunday, although he also indicated that the worst flooding had now already occurred.
Calming widespread rumors, Jokowi said he had spoken with Public Works Ministry officials in order to prepare for anything, including a worse case scenario, in order to minimize the risks, but declined to elaborate on those risks.
“I’ve met [with the ministry officials] to anticipate all aspects related to floods,” the governor told journalists on Friday, but was quick to add that he hoped the flooding did not materialize.
Jokowi called on the city to be more alert and cautious.
The governor said he had also requested that the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) perform rain engineering to stop the downpours, especially on Sunday.
“One thing we can do is ask the agency [for help] so that rainwater doesn’t flow into the rivers when we have a high seawater level,” he said.
Following the devastating floods that hit Jakarta earlier this month, the governor declared the city to be in a state of emergency from Jan. 17 up to Jan. 27, to enable the local authorities to take extraordinary measures.
His decision on the date was in line with subsequent expert advice that the peak of the disaster would take place on Sunday, where a full moon, triggering high tides, would coincide with heavy rain across Greater Jakarta.
National and local media outlets recently quoted Firdaus Ali, a water expert from the University of Indonesia, as predicting that the rainfall would keep increasing until Jan. 27.
Firdaus also predicted that on Jan. 26-27, when tides would rise due to gravitational forces exerted by the moon, the sun and the rotation of the earth, rainwater and water from upstream would flood all parts of Jakarta as excess river water would not be able drain off into the sea.
The scholar said the upcoming floods would probably be even worse than those of 2007 that killed more than 80 people and displaced 200,000. Firdaus issued his prediction a day after Jokowi declared the state of emergency, and the combination of the two statements has understandably triggered concern.
However, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho calmed public fears and said that the possibility of Jakarta experiencing a massive flood on Saturday or Sunday was small.
“Sea levels will rise 1-meter higher than normal levels on those days, but only a high and continuous intensity of rain would cause a flood as bad as February 2007. The rainfall on the dates will likely be a medium level,” he said.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has also reported that rain intensity between Jan. 25-28 will range from light to medium.
Eko Haryadi, a Jakarta administration spokesman, said that the administration acknowledged the probability of floods on Jan. 26-27, but added that no special preparation was being carried out by the administration.
“The governor has declared a state of emergency in the capital until Jan. 27, so yes, we have prepared for floods ever since that declaration. However, we’ve made no special preparation for Jan. 26-27 as according to the BMKG, rains on those two days won’t be heavy ,” Eko said.
“The public doesn’t need to panic, but it must stay alert as Jakarta is still in the state of emergency. Just remember that workers from related agencies, police officers and army personnel will be on duty at available posts.” (aml/fzm)
Jakarta fact box
• In November 2007, 220-centimeter high tides coupled with broken embankments in North Jakarta caused flooding in several parts of the city and heavy congestion on airport toll roads. Several flights were also delayed due to the floods.
• In December 2007, flooding caused by high tides put the coastal Muara Baru in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, under water.
• High tides coincide with a lunar event that occurs approximately every 19 years.
• Severe floods previously hit Jakarta in 1621, 1654, 1918, 1942, 1976, 1996, 2002 and 2007.
• Around 24,000 hectares or 40 percent of Jakarta’s land mass is lower than sea level.
• As many as 13 rivers flow from Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang to Jakarta; the Angke; Baru Barat; Baru Timur; Buaran; Cakung; Ciliwung; Cipinang; Grogol; Jatikramat; Krukut; Mookevart; Pesanggrahan, and Sunter rivers.
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As floods cripple Jakarta, President calls for public safety first
Jakarta (ANTARA News) Most parts of Jakarta were covered with flood water on Thursday crippling transports to the capital city, following incessant heavy rains since Tuesday.
Many office workers from suburban areas could not enter the city center as roads were cut off by the floods. Passenger trains from satellite cities such as Bekasi, Depok and Tangerang have to stop halfway to Jakarta forcing many passengers mostly civil servants and company employees to return home.
The toll roads leading to Jakarta from the three satellite cities were also inundated causing heavy traffic jams.
Jakarta`s Governor Joko Widodo on Thursday (Jan 17) declared the capital city in the state of emergency until January 27, 2013, following floods that killed five people so far.
The five-year-cycle floods have been predicted to hit Jakarta early this year, but some people said that this time was worse than the floods in 2007 that had submerged Jakarta and suburban areas and claimed more than 80 lives.
There had been rumors in 2007 that in order to protect the Presidential Palace from flooding, the Jakarta authorities had closed the Manggarai sluice gates in South Jakarta, diverting the flood waters to suburban areas such as Tangerang and Bekasi.
But the then vice president M Jusuf Kalla dismissed the rumors and said in February 2007 that "Let the Palace be flooded with water. The most important thing is the people."
In February 2007, Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng at the President`s residence in Cikeas, Bogor, also told the media "For the sake of the people, Jakarta`s governor should not be reluctant about the Palace and can use his authority to order the opening of the sluice gates." "If the flooding must go to the palace, let it go," Andi Mallarangeng said.
On Thursday (Jan 17, 2013), Jakarta`s main avenues including Sudirman, Thamrin and Medan Merdeka were flooded. The president`s palace, the palace of the vice president, and the office of Jakarta`s governor were inundated, too.
When receiving Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB) Syamsul Maarif who reported about the Jakarta floods to the president on Thursday morning (Jan 17, 2013), President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he did not mind that the palace was inundated, because the most imporant thing for him was the safety of the people being affected by the floods.
"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told BNPB Chief Syamsul Maarif that he would not have problem if the Presidential Palace was flooded, provided the public were protected," Head of the BNPB Data and Information Center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here on Thursday.
The President asked the agency to use all the available means to mitigate the impact of flooding. He also instructed Indonesian Police Chief General Timur Pradopo and the Chief of the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI), Admiral Agus Suhartono, to assist victims of floods.
"The president has requested Jakarta`s governor to work closely with the military and the police. He is worried about the safety of the people affected by the floods," said Julian A Pasha, a spokesperson for the president, on Thursday.
The police should help evacuate flood victims, ease congestion on roads and protect homes that have been vacated, he said.
Indonesia`s police deployed 2,781 personnel to help handle the flood problems. "The personnel deployed to help handle the floods came from the National Police headquarters and the Jakarta police office," Rikwanto, a spokesman of the Jakarta police office, said here Thursday.
The Jakarta police set up a special team to help handle the flood problems, he added and sent 40 inflated boats and six cars to help evacuation efforts.
About 15,447 people in Jakarta are forced to evacuate themselves to higher ground following floods. A total of 94,624 people have been affected by the floods in the capital city.
Personnel of the Indonesian Army`s Special Force Command (Kopassus) have been deployed to help evacuate flood victims.
Kopassus Commander Major General Agus Sutomo said here on Thursday that he deployed among other things two detachments of personnel and two trucks.
The personnel were sent to Jatinegara, East Jakarta, which is among the worst flood-affected areas in the capital city.
The Indonesian Navy`s marine officers were also made standby to help the flood victims, Naval Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Marsetio said recently.
President Yudhoyono on Thursday afternoon observed the implementation of flood handling measures in Kalibata, Rawa Jati, East Jakarta.
Sailing aboard an inflated boat in the Ciliwung river, the head of state greeted the flood victims looking on from the banks.
He was accompanied by a number of ministers, including Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, and National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo.
The presidential entourage stopped by at a refugee camp in Kalibata, where the President was joined by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono before the two started talking with the flood victims. The First Lady, however, did not accompany the President as he returned to the rubber boat.
Minister Agung Laksono said he has prepared 84 temporary shelters for about 19,000 evacuees in Jakarta.
"In case the flood is getting worst, we suggested people in the affected areas to stay in the temporary shelters until the situation is back to normal," he said.
Indonesia has been experiencing rainy season since November 2012. The rainy season is expected to last until March or April 2013. Floods and landslides have hit several provinces throughout Indonesia due to incessant heavy rains.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) Most parts of Jakarta were covered with flood water on Thursday crippling transports to the capital city, following incessant heavy rains since Tuesday.
Many office workers from suburban areas could not enter the city center as roads were cut off by the floods. Passenger trains from satellite cities such as Bekasi, Depok and Tangerang have to stop halfway to Jakarta forcing many passengers mostly civil servants and company employees to return home.
The toll roads leading to Jakarta from the three satellite cities were also inundated causing heavy traffic jams.
Jakarta`s Governor Joko Widodo on Thursday (Jan 17) declared the capital city in the state of emergency until January 27, 2013, following floods that killed five people so far.
The five-year-cycle floods have been predicted to hit Jakarta early this year, but some people said that this time was worse than the floods in 2007 that had submerged Jakarta and suburban areas and claimed more than 80 lives.
There had been rumors in 2007 that in order to protect the Presidential Palace from flooding, the Jakarta authorities had closed the Manggarai sluice gates in South Jakarta, diverting the flood waters to suburban areas such as Tangerang and Bekasi.
But the then vice president M Jusuf Kalla dismissed the rumors and said in February 2007 that "Let the Palace be flooded with water. The most important thing is the people."
In February 2007, Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng at the President`s residence in Cikeas, Bogor, also told the media "For the sake of the people, Jakarta`s governor should not be reluctant about the Palace and can use his authority to order the opening of the sluice gates." "If the flooding must go to the palace, let it go," Andi Mallarangeng said.
On Thursday (Jan 17, 2013), Jakarta`s main avenues including Sudirman, Thamrin and Medan Merdeka were flooded. The president`s palace, the palace of the vice president, and the office of Jakarta`s governor were inundated, too.
When receiving Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB) Syamsul Maarif who reported about the Jakarta floods to the president on Thursday morning (Jan 17, 2013), President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he did not mind that the palace was inundated, because the most imporant thing for him was the safety of the people being affected by the floods.
"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told BNPB Chief Syamsul Maarif that he would not have problem if the Presidential Palace was flooded, provided the public were protected," Head of the BNPB Data and Information Center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here on Thursday.
The President asked the agency to use all the available means to mitigate the impact of flooding. He also instructed Indonesian Police Chief General Timur Pradopo and the Chief of the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI), Admiral Agus Suhartono, to assist victims of floods.
"The president has requested Jakarta`s governor to work closely with the military and the police. He is worried about the safety of the people affected by the floods," said Julian A Pasha, a spokesperson for the president, on Thursday.
The police should help evacuate flood victims, ease congestion on roads and protect homes that have been vacated, he said.
Indonesia`s police deployed 2,781 personnel to help handle the flood problems. "The personnel deployed to help handle the floods came from the National Police headquarters and the Jakarta police office," Rikwanto, a spokesman of the Jakarta police office, said here Thursday.
The Jakarta police set up a special team to help handle the flood problems, he added and sent 40 inflated boats and six cars to help evacuation efforts.
About 15,447 people in Jakarta are forced to evacuate themselves to higher ground following floods. A total of 94,624 people have been affected by the floods in the capital city.
Personnel of the Indonesian Army`s Special Force Command (Kopassus) have been deployed to help evacuate flood victims.
Kopassus Commander Major General Agus Sutomo said here on Thursday that he deployed among other things two detachments of personnel and two trucks.
The personnel were sent to Jatinegara, East Jakarta, which is among the worst flood-affected areas in the capital city.
The Indonesian Navy`s marine officers were also made standby to help the flood victims, Naval Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Marsetio said recently.
President Yudhoyono on Thursday afternoon observed the implementation of flood handling measures in Kalibata, Rawa Jati, East Jakarta.
Sailing aboard an inflated boat in the Ciliwung river, the head of state greeted the flood victims looking on from the banks.
He was accompanied by a number of ministers, including Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, and National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo.
The presidential entourage stopped by at a refugee camp in Kalibata, where the President was joined by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono before the two started talking with the flood victims. The First Lady, however, did not accompany the President as he returned to the rubber boat.
Minister Agung Laksono said he has prepared 84 temporary shelters for about 19,000 evacuees in Jakarta.
"In case the flood is getting worst, we suggested people in the affected areas to stay in the temporary shelters until the situation is back to normal," he said.
Indonesia has been experiencing rainy season since November 2012. The rainy season is expected to last until March or April 2013. Floods and landslides have hit several provinces throughout Indonesia due to incessant heavy rains.
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