The Jakarta government is keeping flood mitigation at the forefront by bolstering its control infrastructure. Crucially, the administration has guaranteed that funding for flood defenses and weather mitigation will remain untouched by any potential City B byudget (APBD) 2026 cuts.

"Whether it is for extreme weather response, restoring the Ciliwung and Krukut rivers, or procuring new pumps, I am stressing that there will be no budget reductions," asserted Jakarta Governor, Pramono Anung, at Jakarta City Hall, Thursday (1/22).

Pramono emphasized that infrastructure readiness and flood response must be top-notch. He revealed that the Jakarta government has earmarked a budget for a full month of Weather Modification Operations (OMC)—a major step up from the usual one-to-three-day duration.

This extended funding is a proactive move to preempt the extreme weather forecasted to hit the capital.

"The weather is currently off the charts, with many areas along Java's North Coast still submerged," he explained.

He emphasized that Jakarta is bouncing back quicker than its neighbors because its drainage infrastructure is operating at full throttle.

"Our pumps are pulling their weight. But we have to be realistic—when rainfall exceeds 250mm, avoiding some flooding is an uphill battle anywhere in the city," he added.

To tackle the chronic traffic gridlock that occurs during heavy rain, Pramono is considering a Work From Home (WFH) policy if extreme rainfall persists. The measure would primarily target students across Jakarta.

"If the weather indicators are high on a school day, I will pull the trigger on WFH, especially for our students," he closed.