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Can the Great Garuda stop Jakarta floods?

Indonesian capital banks on mega land reclamation to control water levels

The coastal sea wall in Kali Baru, North Jakarta. The structure is part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development project to reduce coastal flooding in Jakarta. Above: An aerial view of the $55 billion land reclamation project in Jakarta
Jakarta residents wading through floods in February this year. The Indonesian capital, which is criss-crossed with 13 rivers, is the world's fastest sinking city and it faces constant coastal flooding. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Above: When seen from the air, part of the project will resemble the mythical bird Garuda, Indonesia's national symbol.
The coastal sea wall in Kali Baru, North Jakarta. The structure is part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development project to reduce coastal flooding in Jakarta. Above: An aerial view of the $55 billion land reclamation project in Jakarta
Above: An aerial view of the $55 billion land reclamation project in Jakarta Bay in 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
The coastal sea wall in Kali Baru, North Jakarta. The structure is part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development project to reduce coastal flooding in Jakarta. Above: An aerial view of the $55 billion land reclamation project in Jakarta
The fishermen in Muara Angke, North Jakarta have put up banners to protest against the land reclamation project. The banners read: "Reclamation makes children of fishermen scream out of starvation" and "Fishermen of Muara Angke reject reclamation and eviction. We want justice, not tyranny." ST PHOTO: LINDA YULISMAN
The coastal sea wall in Kali Baru, North Jakarta. The structure is part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development project to reduce coastal flooding in Jakarta. Above: An aerial view of the $55 billion land reclamation project in Jakarta
The coastal sea wall in Kali Baru, North Jakarta. The structure is part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development project to reduce coastal flooding in Jakarta. PHOTO: INDONESIA PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC HOUSING MINISTRY
The coastal sea wall in Kali Baru, North Jakarta. The structure is part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development project to reduce coastal flooding in Jakarta. Above: An aerial view of the $55 billion land reclamation project in Jakarta
Residents of a fishing village in Muara Angke, North Jakarta peeling green shell mussels caught from Jakarta Bay. Activists say new coastal commercial areas will hurt fishermen whose livelihood depends on the sea. ST PHOTO: LINDA YULISMAN
Linda Yulisman Indonesia Correspondent In Jakarta
Updated
Dec 17, 2018, 01:26 PM
Published
Dec 11, 2018, 05:00 AM
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For months now, fisherman Sudana has been worried about his future.

"My catch has declined by around half," said Mr Sudana, 51, compared with a decade ago where a trip could yield 500,000 rupiah (S$47) in fish and other seafood.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 11, 2018, with the headline Can the Great Garuda stop Jakarta floods?. Subscribe

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