Commentary: Jakarta, the fastest sinking city in the world faces the biggest flooding challenge
By Siwage Dharma Negara
Every rainy season, neighbourhoods in Indonesia’s capital bear witness to major floods.
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This time, about 158 urban communities (kelurahan) in Jakarta experienced flooding, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Besides Jakarta, the floods also hit surrounding areas, such as Bekasi, Tangerang, South Tangerang and Lebak.
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There’s no doubt factors beyond human control including extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change, cyclical tidal waves and the seasonal monsoon have exacerbated flooding in Jakarta.
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But human factors – including the destruction of the ecosystem due to deforestation, poor urban planning including the unchecked construction of settlements around the Ciliwung riverbank, and dismal garbage disposal choking up the riverbank and gutters around the city - have aggravated its effects.
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