T

he decreasing water levels of flooded areas in Jakarta has allowed those displaced from their homes to return, but the Jakarta administration has yet to lower its flood warning.

According to administration spokesman Cucu Ahmad Kurnia, the areas that were still inundated on Friday were Petamburan and Pengadegan subdistricts in West Jakarta.

In South Jakarta, the inundated subdistricts were Bukit Duri, Kebon Baru, Petogongan, Rawa Jati and Cililitan.

While in East Jakarta residents in Kampung Melayu, Bidaracina, Cawang, Kramat Jati and Kampung Rambutan subdistricts were also facing flooded homes.

More than 33 families in Bukit Duri, 600 families in Kampung Melayu and eight people in Bidaracina were displaced from their homes due to the flood.

The city administration is still on alert for more possible floods through communication with related agencies.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Wahyono said he had coordinated 1,500 officers from five Mobile Brigade Units (Brimob) equipped with emergency aid such as tents, rubber boats and ambulances prepared for emergencies.

"The detachments are on standby in Kwitang *Central Jakarta* and Pamulang *South Jakarta* and are ready to be mobilized at any time in all areas," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafly Ahmad said Friday.

According to Cucu, the administration had so far not seen the need to use alternative traffic routes as the water had only inundated residential areas on the banks of the Ciliwung River.

"The flood has not yet reached the street so we don't think it's necessary to reroute traffic," he said.

Floods occur every rainy season in Jakarta, usually severely hitting the city in January and February.

The first floods struck the city last week and so far this year, have caused more than 8,000 people to leave their houses and stay at temporary shelters throughout the city.

"The number of those displaced by floods has been decreasing significantly, however we can not let our guard down," said Jakarta Social Services Agency head Budihardjo.

The Jakarta flood crisis center has identified 99 flood-prone areas in the city.

In West Jakarta, 33 areas were identified, while North Jakarta had 26, East Jakarta 22, South Jakarta 10 and Central Jakarta 8.

To prevent floods, the city has employed several measures, including working to complete the construction of its East Flood Canal project.