BMKG issues early warning on Jakarta drought

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JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The South Tangerang Climatology Station of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning on meteorological drought in Jakarta and surrounding areas.The BMKG announced that Banten and Jakarta were entering the dry season this month, and called on local governments and communities to stay alert for drought.

South Tangerang Climatology Station head Sukasno said in a written statement that data on rainless days through 20 Aug. 2019 showed that most of Banten and Jakarta experienced more than 20-60 consecutive rainless days.

Low rainfall is forecast from the end of August to early September. Some areas have been forecast with a 90 percent probability of less than 20 millimeters rainfall. "This condition qualifies for issuing an early warning on meteorological drought," said Sukasno.

The very low rainfall was also expected to impact on rain-fed agriculture. Groundwater levels also needed monitoring. The coming dry season would also impact on increased air pollution.

A red alert has been declared for a number of areas in Jakarta that have experienced 61-90 consecutive days without rain. These areas include Menteng, Gambir, Kemayoran, Tanah Abang, Tebet, Setiabudi, Pasar Minggu, Halim, Pulogadung, Cipayung, Cilincing, Tanjung Priok, Koja, Kelapa Gading and Penjaringan.

Groundwater

Andreas, 35, of Tanjung Barat in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, is worried because the area still depended on groundwater supplies. The water utility company (PAM) did not cover the area. "The groundwater now smells of mud. If there is a drought, there is a possibility that clean water will become difficult," he said.

The Jakarta provincial administration is preparing to anticipate the drought. It will remain on alert for several impacts, such as clean water shortages and higher risk of fire. Jakarta generally has an adequate water supply, but some areas that are not piped clean water have begun to request supplies of clean water.

Subejo, the head of the Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), said the agency was monitoring the drought through coordination with the Forestry Service, the Water Resources Service, the Fire and Rescue Service, and regional water utility company PAM Jaya.

"Drought in urban areas is different from [drought in] agricultural rural areas. For urban areas, the greatest cause of water shortage is dry wells. We are ready if we must supply clean water [using] tank trucks," Subejo said Wednesday (21/8/2019).

According to Subejo, Jakarta relies on PAM Jaya for its clean water because the captial does not have alternative water sources. So far, no residents have requested water from to the government.

With regard to the higher risk of fire during the dry season accompanied by drought, the fire department is increasing the number of fire trucks to expand its firefighting efforts.

PAM Jaya president director Priyatno Bambang Hernowo said Jakarta’s raw water sources were still “safe”. However, the water output at the Cilandak Water Treatment Plant (IPA) has been reduced from the usual 400 liters per second (L/sec) to 250 L/sec, due to the deteriorating quality of the water from the Krukut River as a result of drought.

"The volume of water is falling while the sewage remains, thereby causing the water quality to worsen," said Bambang. Water from the Cisadane River in Tangerang was being used to compensate the reduced water output at the Cilandak IPA. Bambang said that the Cisadane had an adequate, even excessive, supply to meet demand.

The Jatiluhur Reservoir contributes the largest water supply to Jakarta at 81 percent. A simulation last month indicated that Jatiluhur was expected to remain secure until the end of the dry season.

Jatiluhur’s water level on 19 Aug. measured 98 meters; the level is considered critical at 87.5 meters.

"Our priority is to monitor conditions at Jatiluhur Reservoir as the main [water] source. This week, we will coordinate again to monitor the water supplies," said Priyatno.

Prayitno said PAM Jaya supplied clean water to meet demand, and had a reserve capacity to meet demand across Jakarta for 3-4 hours. The company also supplied clean water during drought to areas that were not on the water distribution network, such as Muara Karang.

Water companies in Jakarta are still able to meet the average water consumption of 150 liters per capita per day (lpcd). Minimum household consumption is 30-50 lpcd.

In South Tangerang, the districts of Pondok Aren and Serpong are experiencing drought. Data shows that the two districts experienced 31 rainless days. "The [districts] are on standby status," said Sukasno.

South Tangerang BPBD readiness head Urip Supriatna said that the Pesona Serpong housing complex and Kampung Koceak in Setu district had been particularly affected by drought. "We are supplying three tanks of clean water each day at a capacity of 4,000 liters per tank," said Urip.

Sukarti, 35, who lives in the Pesona Serpong housing complex, said the impacts from the drought had grown worse over the last three weeks, and that residents were buying water from a trader at Rp 3,000 per jerry can.

"I had to buy six pikul of clean water from the water seller to bathe and do the laundry. To cook, we use gallon [bottles] of drinking water," Sukarti said on Wednesday, referring to the local measurement pikul, which equals two jerry cans, or 40 liters. (PIN/IRE/DEA)

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