June 26, 2025
JAKARTA – Authorities warn the high tide flooding that has inundated parts of North Jakarta over the past few days, with water levels reaching up to 1 meter in some areas, could persist until the end of the month.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) explained in a statement that the phenomenon was a result of the super new moon, referring to when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth at its closest orbital point to our planet, or perigee.
“The perigee phase on June 23, 2025, combined with the new moon on June 25, 2025, is likely to increase the maximum sea level,” BMKG maritime meteorology director Eko Prasetyo said on Monday as quoted by Kompas.com.
The national weather agency has forecast high tide flooding, more commonly known as tidal flooding, between June 24 and 29 in the city’s northern coastal regions including Ancol, Cilincing, Kamal Muara, Kapuk Muara, Muara Angke and Tanjung Priok.
“Community activities around ports and coastal areas will be affected, and residents are urged to remain alert and prepare for the potential impacts of the high tide,” Eko said.
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Around 600 households in a Muara Angke fishing community were inundated on Monday afternoon by floodwaters reaching between 50 and 90 centimeters.
Other impacted areas included Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) in Tanjung Priok, where tidal waters flooded a nearby railway line, though train services were unaffected.
Mohamad Yohan, who heads the data and information center of the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), said the agency was closely monitoring water levels in coastal zones in the city and providing assistance to affected communities.
“We are coordinating with local community leaders and district heads to prepare basic necessities for residents impacted by the flooding,” Yohan said on Tuesday, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
The Social Affairs Ministry has also distributed aid to affected residents in North Jakarta, providing around Rp 202 million (US$12,400) in goods including 400 packages of ready-to-eat meals, 300 mattresses and 400 blankets.
“The ministry is currently coordinating with various agencies to ensure a swift response to the tidal flooding disaster,” said Marsyani Mansyur, the ministry’s director of social protection for disaster victims.
“We are also working closely with the North Jakarta Social Agency to conduct assessments and gather data on the needs of affected residents,” she added.
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To further mitigate the impacts of tidal flooding, the Jakarta administration plans to install additional water pumps in coastal areas. A 1.4-kilometer-long embankment under construction in Muara Angke is expected to be completed by December.
The administration has also voiced support for President Prabowo Subianto’s proposed Giant Sea Wall on the northern coast of Java, which aims to address tidal flooding and land subsidence.
However, the plan has come under public scrutiny regarding its financial feasibility, with critics pointing to the megaproject’s potential for political and environmental risks.