54 areas in Jakarta hit by floods

[Devolz]

Floods hit 54 areas throughout the capital city on Tuesday, disrupting traffic and the operation of public transportation.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that thousands of houses were inundated by floodwaters reaching various levels, ranging from 10 centimeters to 150 centimeters.

“The floods occur because the city’s drainage system cannot accommodate the overflowing water,” BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a press release.

Sutopo said the 54 areas were located in South Jakarta, East Jakarta and North Jakarta.

The floods have also affected the operation of public transportation.

Rail operator PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek spokesperson Eva Chairunisa said, however, that the floodwaters that had affected several stations across the city had begun to recede, and normal services could resume shortly.  

“However, we still have long queues at Jatinegara Station in East Jakarta due to signal disruption as a result of the inundation,” she said.

Besides the capital city, Tangerang and Bekasi have also been affected by heavy rainfall and flooding.