ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s capital has been pushed to a near standstill as extreme rainfall triggers widespread flooding, forcing the Jakarta provincial government to impose emergency work-from-home (WFH) and remote learning measures across the city until January 28, 2026.
The policy, announced through a series of official circular letters this week, applies to civil servants, private-sector employees, and all school students, marking one of the most sweeping urban mobility restrictions Jakarta has implemented outside the pandemic era.
Authorities say the decision was driven by intensifying rainfall, recurring floods, and severe traffic congestion, which together have disrupted daily life in Southeast Asia’s largest мегacity.
“Industry, offices, and schools cannot operate normally under these conditions. Safety must come first,” the Jakarta administration said in a statement published Friday.
A City Under Water
Governor Pramono Anung confirmed that the capital has been hit by extreme rainfall averaging 200 millimeters per day, with some areas recording up to 260 millimeters, overwhelming drainage systems and flooding key districts—particularly in West Jakarta.
Floodwaters have displaced residents, inundated major roads such as Daan Mogot, and forced hundreds of families into temporary shelters, including mosques and community halls.
During a visit to a flood evacuation center in Rawa Buaya, Pramono announced the deployment of additional water pumps, bringing the total at the site to seven, alongside heavy equipment and emergency logistics.
WFH and Remote Schooling as Climate Response
The governor acknowledged that school-from-home and work-from-home policies are now becoming a routine response to climate-driven disruptions in Jakarta.
“With this level of rainfall, flooding is unavoidable. Remote learning ensures education continues, while WFH reduces mobility risks,” Pramono said.
Jakarta’s Education Agency and Manpower Agency have both issued formal directives, while the policy remains conditional on weather developments. Authorities warned that extensions are possible if extreme rain persists beyond January 28.
Critical Services Remain Open
Despite the sweeping restrictions, the government clarified that essential services—including healthcare, public transportation, energy, logistics, and utilities—will continue operating under adjusted, risk-based arrangements.
Companies operating 24-hour services are required to maintain operations while prioritizing worker safety.
Emergency Measures and Long-Term Risks
To combat the crisis, Jakarta has activated:
– Weather Modification Operations (cloud seeding) up to three times daily
– More than 150 stationary pumps and 76 mobile pumps
– Heavy machinery for drainage and debris removal
– Expanded health and social services at evacuation sites.
However, officials admit that flooding in western Jakarta is exacerbated by upstream water flows from neighboring regions, including Tangerang and South Tangerang, highlighting the capital’s vulnerability within a broader regional watershed system.
A Warning for Global Megacities
The Jakarta floods underscore a growing reality for coastal megacities in the Global South: climate change is no longer a future risk, but a present governance challenge.
With remote work and online schooling now deployed as emergency climate tools, Jakarta joins a growing list of cities forced to rethink how governments, economies, and education systems function amid increasingly volatile weather.
As Pramono warned:
“Without collective action—from government and citizens alike—flooding will continue to return.” (AT Network)
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