Canal System Is Not Enough

The rain began to frequent watering Jakarta.
As usual, most of the people in Jakarta starts worrying about flooding. Not only those who inhabit areas prone to flooding, but also other people who, for example, the daily pass through areas prone to flooding. Public transport services will be reduced, power may be turned off.
In early November, the Governor Joko Widodo said that the channel and the channel will be refurbished and the water dredged to prevent flooding. But, he added, it would not be enough.
Water must also be absorbed into the ground as much as possible. In the upstream, the water must be intercepted, to be accommodated in the reservoir, or absorbed by more forested land. In the Jakarta water absorption can be optimized with infiltration wells and biopori massively.
Jokowi approach that seems to fit the in-depth historical research.
 Restu Gunawan, in the book "The failure of canal system; Jakarta Flood Control from Time to Time (1883-1985)" concluded that the canal system has failed.
"The system does not work because the channel Jakarta topography is flat so that water can not flow by gravity. Sedimentation also causes sludge and waste water flow is not smooth. Controls flooding by the construction of canals or channels only able to reduce the burden of flood shortly. However, if there is a new energy, the higher rainfall over a longer period, then the dangers and losses will be greater because the capacities of the water has to pass, while the surrounding area has been turned into the wake so that the flood will go to the surrounding areas. "
Books written Restu is a diligent study. There are many recorded events over a century, which shows how each specific channel or channels is built, a couple of years later there was a flood again.
From the point of view of common nature (ecology) it is very clear and easy to understand. How many channels were made, if water flowing into it is not reduced, he will be kept full, overflow and cause flooding.
Water flowing at ground level should be reduced. Diserapkan of water into the soil should be improved. It is also important to address seawater intrusion and land subsidence stop Jakarta - which has been confirmed by numerous studies.
So Jokowi approach seems correct. But the approach that promotes water absorption is more appropriate of common natural ways requires a different implementation. Governor of Jakarta has started a dialogue with the Governor of West Java. There are already rules about infiltration wells. We really hope this will pelaksaaan concrete, smooth and massive.
If only half-half, will not be effective and drive back to the old way that is incompatible with reason-nature. Community's role in the new approach is very important and great. Hopefully the new governor also means a new bureaucracy that is able to work with the community.
For the short term, I worry channels still must be diligent repaired and dredged. In addition, there needs to be a major flood mitigation plan, clarity for us all, how all of these efforts are integrated and we know portions and their respective roles in that effort.


Source: http://id.berita.yahoo.com/