Jakarta, Indonesia Faces Worst Flood in a Year, Paralyzing Downtown Traffic

Flooding in the Kemang area of South Jakarta [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Heavy rain in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, caused flooding that paralyzed urban traffic.

Since the night of the 19th, heavy rain poured for over 9 hours in the Jakarta metropolitan area, causing floods from residential areas in Kemang, South Jakarta, around Tanjung Barat train station, Pulo Gadung area in East Jakarta, and Kebon Jeruk area in West Jakarta.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had earlier issued warnings for heavy rain and flooding from the 18th to the 21st, covering the Jakarta metropolitan area and the entire Java Island. The BMKG warned, "Due to atmospheric dynamics causing the growth of rain clouds, heavy rain is expected, so please be cautious."

Residents in South Jakarta said, "Floodwaters reached heights of 1 to 2 meters," adding, "It seems worse than the great Jakarta flood on January 1st last year." No casualties have been reported so far, and although many houses and vehicles have been submerged, the rain continued into the morning, preventing an accurate tally.