Bracing for the worst

Jakarta was something akin to a war zone on Thursday afternoon, with a heavy downpour and strong winds ripping through the capital, uprooting trees and toppling advertising billboards in numerous areas. Two people were killed by the collapsing boards.

The storm also paralyzed commuter rail lines that connected Jakarta with satellite cities, and caused further gridlock to add to the city’s already-chaotic traffic situation. All this, and the authorities still say the worst is yet to come.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned Jakartans that the rainy season would peak between mid-January and mid-February, during which torrential rains would hit almost all of Jakarta’s five municipalities.

Flooding is expected in the capital, especially along the riverbanks of Ciliwung, the biggest of 13 rivers passing through Jakarta, as repair works on some of the canals are ongoing. Learning from past experiences, residents in several flood-prone areas have taken precautions.

Still, there are some people who think that the rain can help them earn some extra money.

It’s time to roll up our sleeves and prepare for the worst.  

— The Jakarta Post