Arientha Primanita & Ronna Nirmala

Storm clouds looming above a blustery central Jakarta on Thursday. Forecasters are warning that the city faces rainy weather — and the traffic jams that go with it — through to the end of the year. (Reuters photo)

Traffic and Floods Expected With Jakarta Facing More Wet Weather

Don’t expect much sunshine — or clear roads — until next year, with the national weather agency predicting that more traffic-clogging rain is on its way.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on Thursday warned that low-to-medium intensity rainfall, accompanied by strong gusts of wind, should be expected over the next few weeks.

Along with the rain, however, comes the floods, accidents and fallen trees that choke Jakarta’s already jammed streets.

“Rain and wind caused several trees to fall [around the capital on Thursday],” said AKP Joko from the Jakarta Traffic Management Center.

“The fallen trees were enough to close roads and cause traffic jams, leading to long lines of cars waiting in the rain.”

Wet and slippery roads also make motorists more prone to traffic accidents. On Thursday alone, two car accidents almost brought traffic in South Jakarta to a complete halt.

Meanwhile, the city’s Public Works Agency warned that the Pesanggrahan River may overflow with the constant rain.

Budi Widiantoro, head of the agency, said that temporary sandbag walls had been erected along the river to prevent flooding. The surrounding flood-prone areas had also been prioritized by the city in case of emergency.

“We are installing the walls in the IKPN Bintaro housing complex in South Jakarta because there are many residents there,” he said.

Budi said that based on monitoring, the collapse of the Situ Gintung Reservoir had caused the Pesanggrahan River’s level to rise by up to 40 centimeters.

He said that the areas prone to flooding in the area also included Pondok Indah, the Foreign Affairs Ministry housing complex, Cipulir and Ulujami.

Areas in West Jakarta that could be affected by floods include Sukabumi Selatan, Joglo, Meruya, southern Cengkareng, and Kebon Jeruk.

Budi said the public works agency was preparing mobile water pumps to relieve the flooding around the city, and would clear drains in priority areas.

City Secretary Muhayat said the Jakarta Police were ready to help direct traffic in flood-hit areas, and the parks and cemetery office were also prepared to clear away fallen trees. The social affairs agency, he said, would provide food and support to flood victims.

Deputy Governor Prijanto said the city hoped the East Flood Canal (BKT), which is expected to be semi-operational by December, would help to control flooding in East Jakarta. “With the BKT, we hope the floods in Jakarta will not be as bad as in previous years,” he said.

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