When the Long Dry Season Leaves Behind Drought...
When the Long Dry Season Leaves Behind Drought...
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The prolonged dry season has started to transform the condition of several water sources in Tangerang and Depok, West Java.
In Tangerang, the downstream section of the Pasar Baru Damβs Sepuluh Gate on the Cisadane River has dried up, exposing soil sediments and accumulations of trash.
Meanwhile, in Depok, Cinere Lake in Pangkalan Jati has shrunk. Water remains only in the center, while the lake bed is drying, cracking, and becoming visible.
Although both locations appear dry, their situations stem from different circumstances.
Didik Purwanto, Head of the Cidurian-Cisadane Watershed Management Unit (UPTD), explained that the downstream drying of the Cisadane River occurs because the Sepuluh Gate of the Pasar Baru Dam is closed.
The gate is closed to preserve raw water availability upstream to ensure the needs of PDAM (regional water company), irrigation, and industry are met.
"Itβs closed to maintain the stock so services for PDAM, irrigation, and others can continue operating. We close it to ensure the supply for raw water, irrigation, and industry remains sufficient," Didik said when met by Kompas.com at the Cidurian-Cisadane Watershed Management Unit on Monday (21/9/2026).
Didik confirmed that the drying downstream does not disrupt the main function of the dam or overall water availability.
He stated the gate will be opened if the Cisadane River water level (TMA) surpasses normal limits.
"Its function remains operating normally. Only this area (downstream) is dry. Upstream the water is sufficient, so it doesnβt affect that. The gate opens only if the water level exceeds the normal limit," Didik said.
Marto, an operator at the Sepuluh Gate Dam, stated that the current water level at the Cisadane River is 12.30 meters.
The normal operational range for the dam is between 12.00 and 12.40 meters.
"If it goes above 12.40 meters, we start flushing water downstream. During this dry season, spring water inflows decline, so levels typically stay below the maximum normal limit. Hence, no water is released downstream," Marto explained.
Marto added that the downstream flow essentially holds overflow water that moves towards the sea.
There are no raw water users downstream; therefore, the dry condition does not impact community water needs.
