Flood management challenges in the Citarum River Basin

Abstract

As the biggest river basin in West Java, Citarum River plays strategic roles for West Java and Jakarta. Besides it provides major source of water supply such as drinking water, irrigation, domestics, industries, and power generation, it also used as flood control infrastructure. Flowing from its source at Wayang Mountain down to Bandung, Cimahi, Sumedang, Cianjur, Purwakafta, Bogor and Kerawang, any land use change occurs in the Citarum Basin will have a direct impact on its river f1ow. Every year serious flooding occurs in upper basin especially in South Bandung District but so far there has been a long dispute to overcome the issue. Complexity and tough consequences are always the reason behind this never ending problem. Besides the structural measures, some integrated programs as regard to land conservation, land enforcement, public education, and community empowerment are crucially needed to enhance the efective flood management of Citarum River. In addition, flood mitigation including information system development and data sharing, flood hazard mapping, early warning system, evacuation, and recoveryactions must be widely initiated. Community empowerment, moreover, may have a strong impact in supporting the program implementation. Besides conducting deep survey on the community profile, some activities such as public awareness initiation, program socialization, capacity building, and continuous monitoring will be as fundamental as having sufficient financial support, strong leaderships and high commitment of all stakeholders.