Environment

Jakarta to build sea wall to combat floods

Jakarta has launched a multi-billion-dollar scheme to build a huge sea wall to combat flooding as the Indonesian capital sinks.

The 35-kilometre wall, across the Bay of Jakarta off the city’s northern coast, is the centrepiece of a project that will cost up to US$40 billion (Dh147bn) over 30 years. It also includes reclaiming land for 17 new islands.

The whole project will form the shape of a Garuda – the mythical bird that is Indonesia’s national symbol.

While the key aim is to prevent floods, it is hoped up to one million people will live and work on the islands, and help take pressure off a crowded city notorious as one of the world’s most uninviting urban sprawls.