PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan is accelerating the cleaning and repair of drainage to reduce the risk of flooding in residential areas when rainfall intensity increases (28/1/2026).

This step targets hundreds of water channels in densely populated areas and main roads to ensure water flow returns to normal and floodwaters recede quickly.

Muhammad Farhan said that most of the environmental drainage had been repaired in stages, although a number of channels were still blocked due to being connected to problematic rivers.

"Thank God, we have repaired many of the drainage systems in residential areas one by one, but some are blocked because they are connected to problematic rivers," said Farhan.

He explained that the drainage channels in Bandung City are interconnected, so that disturbances in the main river directly impact the residents' environment.

River management takes a long time because it falls under the authority of the River Basin Agency, so the temporary focus is directed towards residential channels.

"To speed things up, we'll first address the drainage at residential areas," Farhan said.

In addition to physical repairs, officers clean the drainage every day on Jalan Ciateul, Leuwipanjang, Cipaganti, and other locations with a total of hundreds of points.

"Cleaning was carried out simultaneously in many locations before the heavy rains came," he said.

The Bandung City Government also operates an early warning sensor system in the upstream Cikapundung River which is directly connected to the Command Center.

Farhan said the sensor alarm provided a rapid warning to downstream areas so residents and officers could take anticipatory measures.

"If the sensor upstream sounds, the downstream area immediately receives information for evacuation," he said.

The demolition of buildings blocking water channels was carried out in a number of areas, including Lodaya and Jalan Tengku Angkasa, to restore drainage function.

Special attention is given to North Bandung, especially Ujungberung, Mandalajati, and Cibiru, because the vulnerable areas are very close to residential areas.

"What makes me nervous is Manglayang because it is very close to people's homes," said Farhan.

Prevention efforts are strengthened by adding and protecting Green Open Spaces in Mandalajati and Cibiru as water catchment areas.

The Bandung City Government is also awaiting a weather modification schedule from the National Disaster Management Agency to reduce the risk of extreme rainfall in Greater Bandung.

"We have coordinated and are awaiting the implementation schedule," said Farhan. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/bhf)