Ciawi, Sukamahi Dams Expected to Reduce Flood in Jakarta: President Jokowi

President Jokowi inaugurates Sukamahi Dam in Bogor, West Java province, Friday (12/23). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (12/23) inaugurated Sukamahi Dam and Ciawi Dam, in Bogor, West Java province. The two dams are expected to serve as flood control to Greater Jakarta.

“The two dams are dry dams. Ciawi and Sukamahi (Dams) are expected to reduce flood in Jakarta by 30.6 percent,” the President said in his statement.

He went on to say that flood control in Jakarta will be more effective once the construction of diversion tunnel from Ciliwung River to East Flood Canal (BKT) is completed. The dams and tunnels will significantly reduce flood inundation area in capital Jakarta by half.

“We hope in March (the river tunnel project) will be completed. It will reduce areas exposed to flood from 468 hectares to 211 hectares; it’s almost the half,” he added.

Regarding the issue of sea water which has started to flood the coastal areas, President Jokowi said that the Government has started constructing sea wall in the coastal areas of Jakarta. Nevertheless, he asserted that a long-term plan to consider the construction of giant sea wall is a necessity.

On a different occasion, acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono said that Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing in cooperation with the Government of the Province of Jakarta is carrying out the construction of sea wall in the coastal areas of Jakarta. According to him, the provincial Government of Jakarta has constructed 1.5 km of wall, while the Ministry has constructed 11.5 km. (FID/UN) (RAS/MUR)