Key recommendations for mitigating future urban flood risks in a changing climate: the March 2025 Greater Jakarta flood aftermath

This policy brief examines the key challenges in building long-term urban resilience and developing flood risk management in Indonesia's Jakarta, Bekasi, and other flood-prone areas. Despite ongoing flood mitigation efforts, the March 2025 Greater Jakarta Flood revealed increasing vulnerabilities driven by urbanisation, environmental changes, and the intensifying threat of climate change. With water levels reaching 15–300 cm and over 100,000 residents affected, this disaster underscores the need for a more integrated approach to flood risk management.

This 2025 flood event was marked by its extreme precipitation levels. Several studies have indicated that a changing climate may lead to more frequent and intense rainfall events, resulting in higher flood risks. A study has shown that Jakarta’s future flood risk is projected to increase by 322% to 402% in 2050 due to the combination of climate change and urban development (Januriyadi et al., 2018). The findings of this policy brief suggest that strengthening early warning systems, improving land-use practices, and enhancing community preparedness can help mitigate future flood risks in a changing climate.