Several areas in the Greater Jakarta region (Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi or Jabodetabek) have been hit by floods, with 1,229 residents in Jakarta evacuated following moderate to heavy rainfall over the past few days.
The Head of the Data and Information Centre of the DKI Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah or BPBD), Mohamad Yohan, revealed that the flooding in South and East Jakarta since Monday, 3rd March, was primarily caused by the overflowing of the Ciliwung River following rainfall in the DKI Jakarta province and surrounding areas. As of the following day, it was recorded that 47 neighbourhood units (Rukun Tetangga or RT) were affected by the floods.
“There are 11 refugee locations spread across four sub-districts,” Yohan told the press on Monday.
Meanwhile, the overflow of the Ciliwung River in Bogor began on Sunday, 2nd March. Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto detailed that several other areas in Bogor Regency, such as Citeureup, Bojong Gede, Sukajaya, and Gunungputri, have also been impacted by flooding and landslides.
“Today we are also coordinating and discussing with BNPB [Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana or National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure] to determine the disaster status that has occurred in most of the Bogor area,” Susmanto told the press on Monday as well.
Furthermore, the Bogor Regency Government declared an emergency response status after holding a coordination meeting with BNPB on Monday. The Head of BNPB, Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, explained that the emergency response status would remain in effect for the next two weeks.
“These three weeks are crucial because of the approaching Eid al-Fitr national holiday, especially in the densely populated Puncak area in Bogor,” Suharyanto remarked.
Additionally, as of today (Tuesday, 4th March), reports indicate that four roads in West Jakarta were submerged in floodwaters this morning. In his latest statement to the press, Yohan urged the public to remain vigilant regarding the weather conditions.
“BPBD DKI urges the public to remain careful and alert to potential flooding. In an emergency, immediately call 112. This service is free and operates 24 hours non-stop,” Yohan concluded.