Government Prepares Integrated Flood Management Strategy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that the government is currently preparing an integrated strategy to address flooding occurring in a number of regions across Indonesia. Prasetyo conveyed the statement on Thursday, 22 January 2026.

He also explained that President Prabowo continues to closely monitor developments in flood response efforts, even while he is abroad. Over the past two days, the President has been actively communicating with government officials in Indonesia and has provided direct instructions regarding the handling of flood impacts.

At the President’s instruction, the government has been asked to immediately establish an assessment team to analyze and formulate a grand design for resolving water management issues, particularly on the island of Java. This study is intended to produce integrated solutions from upstream to downstream.

“The President has instructed us to promptly form an assessment team to analyze and then develop a grand design for resolving issues related to water management, especially on the island of Java,” Prasetyo said.

He has said that the government will establish a cross-sector assessment team including PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to formulate an integrated water management master plan from upstream to downstream areas, especially on Java Island. In addition, According to him, the President is also paying close attention to the management of the northern coastal areas of Java, including accelerating studies on the Giant Seawall project through the authority managing the North Coast of Java.

“So the President’s attention is focused on how we can resolve this issue from upstream to downstream, including through the authority managing the northern coast of Java, which has been preparing what is commonly known as the Giant Seawall project,” Prasetyo said.

According to Prasetyo, in addition to weather factors, the government assesses that changes in spatial planning, sedimentation in river basins, and the reduction of water catchment areas have worsened flood conditions. The impact of flooding has also been felt in the transportation sector. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) reported that there have been 17 inundated points along railway tracks over the past week conditions that had never occurred before and have disrupted services to the public.