Jakarta Floods: President Jokowi Orders Agencies to Conduct Post-Flood Relief

President Jokowi, accompanied by Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, answers questions from reporters at the Yogyakarta Palace, Wednesday (1/1). Photo by: BPMI

In the wake of massive flooding that hit capital Jakarta and its surrounding cities, President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo has instructed relevant government agencies to take measures to evacuate the affected residents.

“The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), provincial governments,  and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) must join ranks to maintain security and to keep safety of the people affected by floods,” the President told reporters at the Yogyakarta Palace, Wednesday (1/1).

The President also said that the next important thing following the floods is normalization of public facilities, including Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Cikampek Toll Road, and other strategic infrastructure.

The Central Government and the provincial governments, he added, must also work together in post-disaster relief.

“Cimahi Dam and Ciawi Dam are under construction and may be completed next year. I have instructed Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to monitor the progress,” the President said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also called on the people to be vigilant against the rainy season and floods in a number of regions.

For the record, heavy rainfall on Wednesday (1/1) caused floods in a number of areas in Jakarta, Bekasi and Tangerang. Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in Central Jakarta is temporarily closed after the runway was inundated by flood water. (UN/BPMI/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Ersan Pamungkas