T

he ways in which people celebrate Idul Fitri are as varied as the residents of this vast archipelago.

This year, almost 20 million people across the counrty made the annual trip back to their hometowns.

But some chose to stay.

Hundreds of families in Kampung Pulo in East Jakarta and in Kemang, South Jakarta, spent Idul Fitri cleaning up their homes after inclement weather resulted in flooding in the days before Idul Fitri.

One Kampung Pulo resident, Abdul, 49, said that he had planned to visit relatives in Cililitan, East Jakarta, but had to reschedule due to the mess left in the wake of the flood.

Meanwhile, a kiosk owner in Kemang, Rahmad, said his kiosk was saturated with mud and waste from the flood.

'€œIt is strange that it flooded in July, which is the dry season,'€ he said, attributing it to a weather anomaly caused by global warming.

Jakarta'€™s roads are normally deserted during Idul Fitri because a huge portion of the population leave the city and return to their hometowns.

However, unlike in previous years, many roads in Jakarta were congested as millions chose to stay in the city.

As a result, the streets in Cawang in East Jakarta; Grogol in West Jakarta; Tambun in Bekasi, West Java and Beji in Depok, West Java; among others, were jam-packed with motorists.

Moreover, despite the peak of the annual exodus '€” or mudik '€” being over, many were just starting the journey to their hometown

For example, three days after Idul Fitri, Kampung Rambutan terminal in East Jakarta and Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta were crowded with Jakartans heading to their hometowns.

Recreational spots were also packed.

Tens of thousands of people flocked Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta.

Ragunan Zoo public relations head Wahyudi Bambang said that the zoo recorded a record 120,000 visitors on the second day of Idul Fitri on Tuesday, higher than last year'€™s record of 70,000 visitors.

He further said that on regular weekdays, there were usually between 5,000 to 10,000 visitors, while on the weekends it could reach up to 20,000.

A similar scene could be seen in TMII, where thousands thronged the site, causing traffic congestion.

TMII information manager Suryandoro said that there were 50,000 visitors on Tuesday and the number was likely to increase through Wednesday, which according to him had seen 40,000 visitors by daylight.

Suryandoro said that 200 police and military personnel were safeguarding TMII to anticipate the influx of visitors.

Meanwhile, those who were less fortunate still enjoyed the festive vibe of Idul Fitri.

For example, Ardiansyah, 17, who lives in the slum area in Teluk Gong in North Jakarta, said that he had made plans with his friends and family to celebrate the Idul Fitri by going fishing and visiting Ragunan Zoo.

'€œI have the best time of my life when I go on trips with my friends and family,'€ he said.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Traffic Police recorded less accidents during the Idul Fitri holiday compared to last year.

Traffic Police director Sr. Comr. Restu Mulya Budiyanto told the Post that from July 22 to 29, his unit recorded 53 accidents with 67 victims, six of which died.

During the Idul Fitri holiday last year, the police recorded 166 accidents with 270 victims, eight of which died. (dwa/alz/idb)