In one of the deadliest flash floods to have hit Indonesia, at least 30 people have lost their lives along with tens of thousands left homeless in the capital city of Jakarta. The rain episode which brought the catastrophe has been the most intense since records have been kept, over 20 years ago.
On New Year’s eve, i.e. December 31, about a foot of rain had been seen in Jakarta, which continued through Wednesday, i.e. January 1. Jakarta, which is home to over 30 million people, has 40 percent of the city lying below the sea level.
As per Ministry of Social Affairs, around 35,000 people were displaced by Thursday, as emergency workers tried to clear flooded streets and repair power lines.
Over 100 rescue workers along with many military units have been deployed in Jakarta. Rescue workers also struggled as most streets were flooded, almost becoming rushing rivers. Due to the current being strong, even parked vehicles were being pushed.
Authorities since many years have tried to alleviate flooding as even normal rains swamp neighborhoods. Wells which have been illegally dug and the effects of Climate Change is only causing the city to sink the fastest than any other city.
In 2019, it was announced that the capital would be relocated to East Kalimantan Province, on island of Borneo. The President has blamed the catastrophe on delays in flood mitigation projects.
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