World Resources Institute | By: Hidayah Hamzah Hidayah Hamzah | GPE – August 02, 2017:
Flooding is the tragic norm in Jakarta, a megacity where major floods took 40 lives and cost IDR 32 trillion ($2.4 billion) in 2013. The floods were back early this year, and more are expected.
Originally published July 31, 2017: Southeast Asia’s biggest city is investing in dams, widening river channels and other built infrastructure to tame the floods. But the city’s natural infrastructure has also taken a beating. The surrounding forested watershed would ordinarily store and slowly release rainwater promote aquifer recharge, stabilize soil and stem erosion.
While managing water in the city itself is critically important, it is also equally important to manage its upstream watersheds in order to truly protect against flooding and water stress. Ironically, deforestation of these watersheds leaves Jakartans at the mercy of extremes. In between floods, the city is left struggling to meet surging demand for water, in part because deforestation slows the ability of local aquifers to recharge.
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