Channel NewsAsia 26 Apr 19;
JAKARTA: Torrential rain triggered flooding in parts of the Indonesian capital Jakarta overnight, the disaster agency said Friday (Apr 26), forcing the evacuation of residents.
Heavy rain pounded the greater Jakarta area, causing the Ciliwung river to burst its banks, and prompting flash flooding in at least 17 communities.
Dozens of residents in parts of the capital's east, where flooding occurs frequently during rainy season, were forced to wade through streets filled with 1m high water in places.
Images from some parts of the city showed people taking refuge on higher ground with their belongings, while authorities tried to reach hard-hit areas with rubber boats.
Public kitchens have been set up in East Jakarta to distribute aid to people affected by the flooding.
"We urge people to stay alert to the possibility of more flooding," the Jakarta disaster mitigation agency said in a statement, adding the high water level of several dams was still at a worrying level.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, the agency said.
On Wednesday, at least four people were killed and two were reported missing after heavy rain triggered flash floods in Central Java, local media reported.
Flooding is common in Indonesia, especially during the rainy season that runs from October to April.
Last month at least 104 people died and more than 10,000 were forced to evacuate after flash floods and landslides tore through Papua in Indonesia's east.
Source: AFP/zl
Thousands flee as floods hit Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang
The Jakarta Post 26 Apr 19;
Greater Jakarta was once again struck by floods on Friday morning, causing heavy traffic and forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes.
Seventeen neighborhoods across the capital were submerged after the Ciliwung River overflowed due to heavy rainfall. More than 1,500 people have evacuated the areas so far.
Meanwhile, in Tangerang, Banten, overflow from the Cisadane River inundated residential areas, school buildings, offices and vehicles in 1-meter-deep water across Panunggangan Barat subdistrict.
Motorcycles are submerged in flood water in front of Panunggangan Barat subdistrict office in Tangerang, Banten, on April 26. (Warta Kota/Istimewa)
According to the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), floods mostly struck areas in South and East Jakarta, namely in community units (RW) located in Lenteng Agung, Pengadegan, Srengseng Sawah and Rajawati in South Jakarta, as well as Cawang, Bidara Cina, Balekambang and Kampung Melayu in the east.
At least 450 people have fled their homes in Cawang and 1,147 in the neighboring area of Cililitan, kompas.com reported.
Floods have also caused severe congestion around Jl. Raya Kalibata in South Jakarta, where flood victims crowded the shoulder of the road and parked their cars there.
Flooding in the Kalibata area also triggered severe traffic on Jl. Dewi Sartika, Jl. Raya Condet and Jl. Raya Bogor.
“It’s insane. It took me up to two hours to get from Depok to PGC in Cililitan. Normally, traffic is not that bad,” said Bima, a resident of Depok, West Java.
Police personnel were deployed at certain crossroads to help manage the flow of traffic.
“Road users who want to go to Kalibata Raya are urged to avoid Jl. Dewi Sartika due to the traffic jam caused by floods,” BPBD Jakarta said via its Twitter account @BPBDJakarta.
Meanwhile, a number of settlements on the banks of Ciliwung River in Depok were also inundated, including Pasir Gunung Selatan in Cimanggis subdistrict.
Asep Suwandi, a resident of Pasir Gunung Selatan, said that at least 15 families had been affected by the overflowing Ciliwung River.
He added that flooding started at around 1 a.m. in the area, with water levels reaching between 50 and 100 centimeters deep. The flood receded at around 6 a.m.
Some residents were able to save a few of their belongings before leaving the area.
"I was only able to save a few items because BPBD Jakarta was telling us to go," he said. (das)
