Jakarta is bracing for the peak of the rainy season by advancing infrastructure projects in West Jakarta, including additional retention basins and the completion of the Angke River embankment. Governor Pramono Anung confirmed that the provincial government is coordinating with the Indonesian National Armed Forces to mitigate flood risks in low-lying areas like Rawa Buaya and Cengkareng.
Infrastructure Upgrades in West Jakarta
The Jakarta Provincial Government is prioritizing flood mitigation as the city anticipates peak rainfall. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung outlined plans to expand water retention capacity following a Regional Leadership Coordination Forum meeting on rainy season mitigation held on November 5, 2026. While the Angke River embankment in the Permata Buana segment of North Kembangan has reached 90 percent completion, the administration is building additional retention basins because the existing reservoirs in West Jakarta are insufficient. Historically, the city has faced scrutiny over such projects; during his 2007-2012 tenure, former Fauzi Bowo was criticized for slow responses to flooding and the controversial conversion of water-absorption areas into commercial zones.
Phased Mitigation Strategies for Low-Lying Districts
The Jakarta Water Resources Agency has identified Rawa Buaya and Cengkareng as the two lowest topographies in West Jakarta. Jakarta Water Resources Agency head Ika Agustin stated that flood mitigation works across the area will be carried out in phases through 2029. Efforts in Cengkareng center on the construction of the Apuran Polder, while the Rawa Buaya project is being synchronized with the final stages of the Angke River embankment. These projects are designated as multi-year efforts spanning from 2027 to late 2028.
Broader Climate Challenges Across Indonesia
The urgency in Jakarta coincides with a national struggle against hydrometeorological threats. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), several regions, particularly Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra, are facing a rise in forest and land fires alongside a heightened risk of flooding. BNPB spokesperson Berton Panjaitan noted that the destruction of tree cover and soil degradation from fires leaves these regions especially susceptible to flash floods and landslides as the rainy season begins.
Uncertainty in Flood Defense Readiness
While the Jakarta provincial government is coordinating with the military, Governor Pramono Anung acknowledged that security measures regarding the capital’s infrastructure fall under the central government’s domain. Residents in the most flood-prone segments of West Jakarta will wait for the completion of multi-year projects that extend into 2029.
