October 5, 2020
Land subsidence in Jakarta
The most threatening stress of Jakarta is the land subsidence following the rise in sea levels and river/coastal flooding. There is increased risk of flooding and land stresses in the densely populated areas of Jakarta, which lead to increased land subsidence and due to the improved standards of living and earning of their people, ultimately leading to over-population in the coastal and in the entire city area of Jakarta, respectively. There is a need of proper waste management system, also to diminish the risk of agriculture/crop failures. The main solution responsibility lies in the hands of the Government while implementing their policies by proper cooperation and coordination with the various stakeholders as well keeping the residents of Jakarta aware and informed. Proper drainage systems, proper placements of Dykes in necessary areas, and encouraging the residents to construct local water storage bodies in their homes targeting rainwater harvesting would be some of the main solution strategies. There will be an increase in the demand for meeting the GDP caused due to the rehabilitation costs or costs related to relocation of the people to less-stressed areas. Strict monitoring of the areas undergoing land subsidence, environmental checks in the industries, making the migration procedures much more rigid and strict, putting checks in people who completely depend on groundwater and encouraging them to use alternative methods for collecting drinking water should be the main target for the settlement of such stresses.