Indonesia: Floods hit 54 areas in Jakarta

Antara 22 Feb 17;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Incessant heavy rains that had lashed since around 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, triggered flooding that inundated 54 areas in Indonesias capital city of Jakarta.

Flooding was reported among other things in Grogol, with floodwaters reaching up to 30 centimeters in height; Gunung Sahari, up to 1.5 meters; and Kelapa Gading, Kemang, Cipinang Melayu, Kebayoran Baru, and Cawang, among other areas, according to information from the Jakarta Polices Traffic Management Center.

The flooding has disrupted traffic and caused congestion on several roads.

Heavy rains and thundering are forecast to continue until Wednesday (Feb 22) in Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Depok, and Tangerang, Hary Tirto Djatmiko, spokesman of the meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency, stated.

Major flooding was also reported in Depok and Bekasi, forcing several inhabitants to move to higher grounds.(*)

BNPB advises Jakarta to brace for floods
The Jakarta Post 21 Feb 17;

Heavy rainfall since the early morning has led to floods in several areas of Jakarta.

Water was rising at several flood gates at 6 a.m., with most alarming level at Karet in South Jakarta, Pasar Ikan in North Jakarta and Pulo Gadung in East Jakarta.

Places nearby have been inundated with water, including the Cipinang Melayu and Cawang underpasses, both in East Jakarta.

“People should remain on alert and brace for floods,” said National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in a press statement.

The rain and floods, however, have not stopped a group of people who planned to stage a rally in front of the House of Representatives demanding the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

The Jakarta Police have reported that 200 people are already in front of the House complex in Senayan, Jakarta, as of 7:34 a.m.

BNPB provides real time information on the flood status in the capital via petabencana.id. (wit)