Jakara City Council Commission D Chairwoman, Yuke Yurike has called on the Jakarta government to double down on flood mitigation and preparedness across the capital. She emphasized that seamless cross-sector coordination is vital, especially with extreme weather predicted to persist over the coming months.

According to her, mitigation must be comprehensive, ranging from real-time weather tracking in partnership with the BMKG to creating strong synergy between all city agencies.

"Coordination is the secret sauce to effective prevention. All agencies must join forces and move fast during emergencies," she said, Thursday (1/22).

She noted that a clear line of authority is vital to prevent agencies from operating in silos. According to her, flood mitigation must be a collective mission, free from departmental egos.

Yuke also called for a safety-first approach, urging that field teams be provided with the necessary infrastructure and gear. In her view, ensuring responders are safe and sound is vital to a successful mission.

"Rescuers should not end up in danger while trying to help others. Proper equipment is non-negotiable," she warned.

To ensure rivers can handle the load, she emphasized that periodic desilting is a must. Despite challenges like inaccessible terrain or slope instability, she insisted on pressing forward wherever possible.

"Dredging will continue as long as the conditions allow. This is a routine effort that should be par for the course in our city maintenance," she noted.

She assessed that while flood mitigation efforts have been pushed to the limit, extreme weather remains a force to be reckoned with. She emphasized the need for collective vigilance to face these natural challenges.

Further, she urged the city to ramp up public outreach, specifically targeting residents in flood-prone hotspots to ensure they are better equipped for potential disasters.

"Residents should stay on their toes, ensuring they have emergency kits and protected documents. This is a safety-first move, not a warning to panic," she remarked.

As extreme weather sweeps across the region, she emphasized that all hands on deck are needed. Strong collaboration is the key to ensuring the city can weather the storm and minimize flood damage.

"Above all, the key is for us to stay prepared, look out for one another, and maintain our health," she concluded.