Sitrep Flood in Cipinang Besar Utara, February 1st 2008

(Baca Versi Bahasa Indonesia)

Date of event
The month of February is generally considered to be very rainy and most of the flood events happen in that month. Thus, on February 1st, 2008 several areas of Jakarta were affected by flood Cipinang Besar Utara is one of the affected areas. Water has reached houses by 9am and reached its highest level on 11am. Electricity has been shut down the night before. Flood was predicted to reach adult chest or 1 meter high.
In Cipinang, the most affected zones are: RW 01, 02, 04, 05, 07, 10, 11, 12, and 14 on various high.

The worst affected area is RW 02, 04, and 05 has evacuate. Three people were injured as they knock down by water. Almost all houses in RW 04 were flooded up to chest. Fifty percent houses in RW 05 were flooded up to waist level. While in RW 02 75% houses were flooded up to ankle high. RW 04 has asked kelurahan to lend a tent for evacuation place. The tent was then installed in Prumpung Cemetery and another tent installed on RW 014 right behind Cipinang Prison. No evacuee reported. Community waits for 1 x 24 hour to take decision whether they need to evacuate or not.

Community preparedness
By 8 am, siren has started to ring. Information from Watergate state that water level in Cipinang water gate is 155cm. Community has start to keep their valuable belonging into a higher place. Three people (Head of Kelurahan Legislative Board, RW 12 staff, and community leader of CBU) were standby to update the information on water level. The information was then spread directly to the community by sms and phone call.

By 10 am, evacuation has started. Rescue team consist of Kali Arus( a local youth organization) members were actively rescuing the community. They used rubber boat, float, inner tube, and rope. These equipments were borrowed from FKPPubers (youth organization of Kampung Melayu). The rope that supposed to be installed in evacuation route was not ready. Community then bought the rope with their own money. Some other community members came to CBU sub office asking for support to provide information and equipment such as inner tube and rope. They went back empty handed as ACF in not providing individual support.

Kelurahan’s role
When the flood happens, ACF community organizer (CO) based in the area has maintained close communication with Head of Lurah, day and night. Lurah cell phone was always active, making it possible for everyone to contact him and organizes the response. He also asked CO to share information with community. Lurah also instructed Linmas (community protection group) members to monitor several flood point. Kelurahan was providing the tent and distributing rice to flood-affected community on the night

Written by : Martius Marzuki