Tidal Floods Devastate North Jakarta

At least 12,000 residents near Jakarta’s northern coastline, an area known for its tidal flood or rob, have been affected since last Friday. Floodwaters have reached depths of up to one meter in several areas, including Pademangan, Penjaringan, Cilincing, and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.

Hundreds of homes around Muara Angke harbor in Penjaringan face daily flooding, with seawater overflow ranging from 25 to 100 centimeters. This disruption affects traffic and Commuter Line services.

The North Jakarta administration has deployed personnel and water pumps to manage the flooding. Additionally, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has undertaken weather modification efforts to reduce rain intensity by up to 67 percent.

Multiple Causes of Coastal Flooding

Acting Jakarta governor Teguh Setyabudi attributed the coastal flooding to a combination of extreme weather, rising sea levels, the new moon phase, and land subsidence. BMKG estimates that tidal flooding will continue until Friday.

While significant efforts have been made to construct approximately 22 kilometers of sea dike in North Jakarta, an additional 16 kilometers are needed to fully protect the coastal area.

Karawang Regency Hit Hard

Tidal floods have also affected thousands of homes in Karawang regency, West Java, since last week. Floodwaters have reached depths of 20 to 40 centimeters, troubling at least 5,400 families across nine districts.

The Karawang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reports that the flooding has inundated two schools, three mosques, and about 1,000 hectares of coastal fishponds. This has disrupted the livelihoods of residents who work as fishermen or manage fish farms.

Flash Flood in North Sumatra

A flash flood hit several villages in the Tano Tombangan Angkola and Batang Angkola districts of South Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, on Wednesday. Floodwaters carrying debris struck hundreds of houses at around 2 p.m., injuring ten people and forcing 350 to evacuate.

The disaster left 50 centimeters of thick mud in several areas, cutting power to the affected districts. At least four houses were swept away, and a church, two mosques, and 200 residential dwellings were damaged.

Landslide in Central Java

A day prior, heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in Temanggung regency, Central Java. One person was killed, and another was injured.

Increased Rainfall Forecast

The BMKG has warned that most regions of Indonesia are entering the rainy season, with a 20 percent increase in rainfall intensity due to a weak La Niña. This typically brings wetter conditions and heavier rainfall.

The rainy season is expected to peak in late December for most parts of Sumatra and southern Java, while central and northern Java will experience peak rainfall in January.

Conclusion

As the holiday season brings increased travel and gatherings, the impact of these weather events is further compounded. The Indonesian government continues to address the immediate needs of affected residents and works on long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme weather events.

We urge all travelers and residents to stay informed about weather updates and follow the advice of local authorities to ensure safety.

What are your thoughts on the impact of these weather events on holiday travel and local communities? Share your comments below.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and breaking news. Like and share this article on social media to help raise awareness.