Jakarta residents are bracing for potential New Year’s Eve flooding as heavy rainfall is forecast throughout Wednesday, December 31, 2025. it’s a familiar worry for a city often battling monsoon season, but authorities are taking steps to mitigate the risk. Are they enough?
New Year’s Eve Flood Watch Issued for Jakarta
Authorities are urging vigilance as heavy rain and high tides threaten low-lying areas.
- Jakarta’s disaster agency has warned of potential flooding on New Year’s Eve.
- Several rivers-Ciliwung, Pesanggrahan, Angke, and others-are at risk of overflowing.
- Coastal areas face a heightened threat due to peak sea levels, a full moon, and the Perigee phenomenon.
- 267 disaster response personnel will be on standby, with emergency services operating 24/7.
The rivers identified as posing the greatest threat include the Ciliwung, Pesanggrahan, Angke, Krukut, Rajawati, and kali Mampang. Specific neighborhoods to watch include Pengadegan, Pejaten, Kebon Baru, Kuningan Barat, cililitan, Jatinegara, Kembangan Utara, and Rawa Buaya. These areas are particularly susceptible due to their proximity to waterways and, in some cases, limited drainage infrastructure.
Low-lying areas like Cipulir are also facing increased risk, especially where drainage capacity is limited and green spaces are scarce. These factors exacerbate the potential for standing water and widespread flooding.
Coastal Flooding Concerns
In northern Jakarta, authorities are closely monitoring the potential for tidal flooding, particularly in coastal areas like Penjaringan, Kamal Muara, and Ancol. The BPBD is continuously tracking rainfall intensity and river conditions to anticipate potential disasters. The current risk is amplified by a confluence of factors: peak sea levels,a full moon,and the Perigee phenomenon-when the Moon is closest to Earth,resulting in higher tides.
To address the situation, the agency will have 267 disaster response personnel on standby throughout the New Year’s Eve period. Emergency services will be fully operational via the national 112 hotline,supported by 24-hour monitoring at the BPBD command center. Earlier on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the BPBD recorded tidal flooding along a section of Jalan R.E. Martadinata in Papanggo, Tanjung priok, where seawater reached a depth of approximately 15 centimeters.
Isnawa Adji urged the public to remain alert and prepared for possible flooding. Personnel have been deployed to monitor flood-prone areas and are coordinating with the city’s Water Resources Agency, public Works Department, and Fire and Rescue Agency to operate water pumps and ensure drainage systems are functioning optimally.
