Factual Report Text - Flood in Jakarta

Jakarta’s Flooding problem
Floods can be very dangerous. What is a flood? A flood is an overflow of water that submerges
land that is usually dry. Floods are an area of study in the discipline of hydrology. They are the most
common and severe widespread natural weather event. Flooding is caused by heavy rainfall. The faster
the rainwater reaches the river channel, the more likely it is to flood. The nature of the landscape around a
river will influence how quickly rainwater reaches the channel. A river channel, surrounded by steep
slopes, causes fast surface run-off.
A flood occurs when water inundates land that's normally dry, which can happen in a multitude of
ways. Excessive rain, a ruptured dam or levee, rapid melting of snow or ice, or even an unfortunately
placed beaver dam can overwhelm a river, spreading over the adjacent land, called a flood plain.
Why does Jakarta Flood?

One of the most common places for a flood to occur is Jakarta. Why does Jakarta flood? Much of
Jakarta resides below sea-level –Northern Jakarta and due to the high tides, that occasionally rise to
50cm, flooding can be caused in sun and monsoons alike. Another reason is that the sewage system is old
and clogged up with waste. This is also a reason why flood often occurs. The citizens are usually the ones
who causes it by not disposing their piled up garbage.
Cutting up trees irresponsibly is also one of the factors. Trees reduce flood risk from the top to
bottom. Lots of raindrops that land on leaves evaporate straight into the air- so less water reaches the
ground. And, leaves intercept rainfall, slowing the rate that water flows into rivers and reducing the risk
it’ll burst its banks. The roots of a tree are also important.
How Dangerous was the Flood in Jakarta 2007?
The 2007 Jakarta flood was a major flood in Jakarta, the capital of
Indonesia and affected several other areas around the city, such as
West Java and Banten. The flood, beginning on February 2, 2007
was a result of heavy rain, deforestation in areas south of the city,
and waterways clogged with debris. The flood is considered the
worst in the last three centuries, including the 1996 and 2002
Jakarta floods, which killed 10 and 25 people respectively.
The flood affected 80 separate regions in and around Jakarta, and

over 70,000 homes were flooded, resulting in the displacement of
some 500,000 people, there was a high level of illness, with 1,066 patients treated by hospitals due to
diarrhea and 329 due to dengue fever. The flood has caused Rp 8 trillion in losses. Approximately
190,000 people were affected by flood related illnesses. The nature of the flood in which it extends from
riverbanks to surrounding areas has caused the lower-class communities, many of which live on the
riverbanks themselves in wooden houses, to take the strongest impact of the flood.

The flood in 2013 began on Tuesday, 15 January 2013, in some parts of the city as a result of
heavy rain and waterways clogged with garbage and other kinds of debris. Serious flooding began along
several main thoroughfares of Jakarta. A 30-meter-long section of Jakarta's West Flood Canal dike on
Jalan Johannes Latuharhary in Menteng collapsed. This breach quickly caused flooding in nearby areas.
Military personnel, the Jakarta public works agency, and public order officers joined forces to quickly
replace the collapsed dike section with a temporary retaining wall made of rocks and sandbags. Workers
finished rebuilding a section of a canal dike.
The death toll from severe flooding in and around the Indonesian capital of Jakarta has risen to 66
as parts of the country continue to reel from heavy rain that began on New Year’s Eve. Landslides and
flash floods have displaced more than 36,000 in Jakarta and the nearby provinces of West Java and
Banten, according to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for
Humanitarian Assistance (AHA). These are the worst floods
Indonesia has seen since 2013, when at least 29 people died in
the aftermath of torrential rains. The disaster, experts say,
underscores the impacts of climate change in a country with a
capital city that is sinking so quickly that officials are working
to move it to another island. The floods are also threatening to
exacerbate the already severe wealth inequality that plagues the
Southeast Asian nation.
Flash floods occurred throughout the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and its metropolitan area on the early
hours of 1 January 2020, due to the overnight rain
which dumped nearly 400 millimeters (15 in) of
rainwater, causing the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers
to overflow. At least 66 people have been killed, and
60,000 displaced in the worst flooding in the area
since 2007.
At many parts of the city, water levels

reached 30 to 200 cm. Some places, such as
Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta, water levels peaked
at four meters. More than 397,000 residents had
been evacuated to higher grounds. The government
had designated schools and government buildings as temporary shelters. In several areas, evacuation
efforts were hampered by rushing waters and blackouts. According to Indonesia's Meteorology,
Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), more rain with thunderstorm and heavy winds is
expected in the next three to seven days, which is likely to exacerbate the current flooding situation.
Researcher’s Predictions
In a recently published study, it is predicted that Jakarta’s annual flood damage costs will increase by
322% to 402% by 2050. There are two reasons why the flood costs in Jakarta will rise to such a high level
by 2050: the climate crisis and the rapid development of Jakarta and the surrounding area. When
producing their model, they assumed that there will be no intervention from the government to arrest the
climate crisis and that the rapid urbanization of suburban areas around Jakarta will continue alongside
recent trends of extreme rainfall across the local watershed.
Did the government or citizen took action on preventing/managing it?

How to prevent floods? And how did Jakarta manage those floods? To prevent floods, citizens can start
by throwing away garbage in the right place. Plant trees around the
area, clear up the sewerage and basically keep the environment clean.
To manage floods, the city diverts water during peak flows; the water
from upstream areas are diverted to the east and west of Jakarta via
two major flood canals emptying into the Jakarta Bay. Over the years,
water flows have increased, while the canals became increasingly
clogged with garbage. The Indonesian and Dutch governments have
launched a comprehensive five-year project to enhance coastal safety
and flood prevention along Java’s north coast in Insdonesia.
What to do when a Flood Happens
When a flood occurs, the first thing to do is to stay informed with the flood status and updates. Make sure
to find a shelter, and that the shelter is safe enough to prevent the flood from coming in, and to also have
food, radio, and other necessities included. If a shelter could not be found, do find a higher ground that is
above the flood level. If one lives in a flood prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher
ground immediately. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Make sure to disconnect utilities and
appliances.
Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If
sparks are seen or buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises can be heard, please get out. Don't walk
through flood waters. Move to the highest possible point and call an emergency number if possible if
trapped by moving water. Do not drive into flooded roadways or around a barricade.
What to do after a Flood Happens
The first scenario is that if evacuated, return to home only after local authorities have said it is safe to do
so. Avoid driving through flooded areas and standing water. Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be
contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically
charge the water. Upon entering the building, do not use matches, cigarette lighters or any other open
flames, since gas may be trapped inside. Instead, use a flashlight. Be aware of the risk of electrocution.
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent
electric shock if it is safe to do so.

Factual Report Text - Flood in Jakarta

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Factual Report Text - Flood in Jakarta

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Jakarta’s Flooding problem

Why does Jakarta Flood?

How Dangerous was the Flood in Jakarta 2007?

The flood affected 80 separate regions in and around Jakarta, and

How Dangerous was the Flood in Jakarta 2013?

At many parts of the city, water levels

Did the government or citizen took action on preventing/managing it?

What to do when a Flood Happens

What to do after a Flood Happens

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