TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Acting Governor of Jakarta Teguh Setyabudi said he will consider the Work From Home (WFH) policy for students and the Jakarta provincial government employees if floods occur during the working day.

"We will consider WFH. Hopefully, ministries and institutions can follow suit, since the impact of flooding during working days is different from holidays," said Teguh in a coordination meeting with ministries and government agencies regarding disaster anticipation for the Christmas and New Year holiday at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture office on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) previously issued early warnings of extreme weather in the form of a 20 percent increase in rainfall, affecting several regions in the country during the Christmas and New Year holidays. 

Teguh said the Jakarta Provincial Government has been conducting weather modification operations for 3 days to anticipate floods during this rainy season. The government plans to gradually carry out these operations until early 2025.

In addition, the Jakarta provincial government will optimize the available infrastructure. So far, flood control infrastructure in Jakarta is designed to handle rainfall of up to 150 mm/day. Meanwhile, the supporting channels can accommodate up to 100 mm/day.

On the same occasion, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, said the government is conducting weather modification operations to minimize high rainfall and anticipate floods in the Greater Jakarta region during the year-end holiday period. 

"Weather modification will be carried out by BMKG as well as the provincial governments. The [weather] modification will reduce rainfall and lessen the burden on water infrastructure in the Greater Jakarta area," said Pratikno on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Pratikno added that the government will also optimize, utilize, and improve disaster infrastructure. In addition, the government will optimize technical personnel in the field. "Don't let technical personnel be careless. We will routinely conduct alert drills," said Pratikno.

Pratikno said the government will also establish a coordination post between ministries and institutions. The post will include regional government officials up to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The post will be a place to monitor the situation in real time. "So there is no need for coordination meetings. It's direct real-time coordination," said Pratikno.

Pratikno stated that all these measures are taken to minimize the impact of flood disasters. Even if floods occur, the government is ready with a number of steps that have been taken. "Basarnas is ready to be deployed at several locations, and infrastructure has been prepared," said Pratikno.Editor’s Choice: Floods, Landslides in Sukabumi: Hundreds of Students Remain Out of School

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