Massive flooding in Jakarta Metropolitan Area in Indonesia has left 21 people dead and thousands displaced.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported flooding in 268 locations across the metro area, which includes Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. Flood water was 2.5 metres deep in some areas. The heavy rain also triggered landslides in the Bogor and Depok.
Unusually heavy rain fell from 31 December, 2019 to 01 January, 2020. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta recorded 377mm of rain in 24 hours, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Several rivers across the Metropolitan Area broke their banks. The Angke River at Angke Hulu, Tangerang City, jumped to 3.4 metres, above the danger level of 3m. Although levels dropped temporarily, as of 02 January the river was once again above the danger mark.
The Ciliwung at Jembatan Merah in Jakarta was also above the danger mark as of 02 January, standing at 2.65 metres where the danger level is 2 metres.
Flooding forced authorities to cut off electricity and water supply. Transport networks were severely disrupted and Halim Perdanakusumah Airport was temporarily closed after the runway flooded.
ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), which is based in Jakarta, reported on 02 January that an estimated 62,000 people have been displaced by flooding, with authorities providing 269 evacuation centres.
