Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Severe Floods swept through several areas in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) in early March 2025. Officials deeming the disaster was more severe than the massive flooding of 2020.
The head of Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, stated that in the past few decades, Jakarta has experienced catastrophic floods approximately every five years, citing major events in 2025, 2020, and 2015.
During early March 2025, Jabodetabek area was swept by severe floods, said to be more severe compared to the pas five years. Despite the widespread damage, BMKG data indicates that the rainfall intensity in March 2025 was not as high as that recorded in the January 2020 floods. However, the impact was significantly worse.
“Rainfall in January 2020 in Bekasi was far more extreme, reaching over 300 millimeters per day, shown in pink on our maps, indicating extreme precipitation levels,” Dwikorita explained. “Yet, the flooding in 2020 was not as devastating as the one in 2025, despite rainfall not exceeding 300 millimeters.”
According to BMKG, the highest recorded rainfall in January 2020 reached 377 mm/day. Meanwhile, data from March 3-4, 2025, showed that the highest rainfall was recorded at the Katulampa observation station, reaching 232 mm/day.
“The difference is over 100 millimeters, yet the floods in 2025 were far more destructive. This raises questions about whether extreme rainfall alone is responsible for flooding or if other environmental factors are at play,” she added.
Dwikorita suggested that changes in land cover, river basin conditions, and urbanization could be key contributors to the worsening floods. She emphasized that not all flooding events are directly linked to extreme rainfall.
“This also highlights the growing concern over land use changes in the Ciliwung River Basin and urban sprawl. We hypothesize that flooding is not solely dictated by rainfall but also by river basin conditions. Over the years, urban settlements have encroached further into these areas,” she said.
Climate Crisis Worsening Flood Risks
BMKG has warned that the climate crisis poses a severe threat to Jakarta, potentially increasing the frequency of major floods.
According to the agency, while catastrophic floods historically occurred approximately every five years, climate change and poor environmental management could make such disasters more frequent.
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“If we fail to manage our environment properly, the five-year flood cycle may no longer exist. Instead, what was once a five-year event could happen every three years, with similar devastating effects,” Dwikorita warned during a virtual press conference on Monday (March 24).
Given the increasing severity and frequency of floods in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, experts warn that urgent action is needed to improve watershed management, control urban expansion, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Without significant intervention, what was once considered a five-year flood cycle could become an even more frequent and devastating occurrence.
(Raidi/Agung)
