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Capital welcomes new decade drenched
At least nine people died in floods or landslides in Greater Jakarta, according to data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
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Cars are seen partially submerged in water at the Express taxi pool in Tanah Kusir, South Jakarta, on Wednesday. (JP/R Berto Wedhatama)
M
illions experienced a wet start to 2020 after severe flooding caused by torrential rainfall that lasted from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning claimed at least nine lives and displaced thousands in Greater Jakarta.
The floods inundated 41 areas across Jakarta and its satellite cities fared no better, with landslides wreaking havoc.
Five people died of hypothermia or electric shock or were swept away in the floods and four others fell to landslides in Jakarta, Depok and Bogor, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Agus Wibowo said.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan immediately prioritized evacuation efforts in East Jakarta, the region with the highest number of affected areas, including Cawang, Kayu Putih and Cakung.
“Make sure that all government buildings and schools are ready to be used as emergency shelters. Prepare public kitchens, healthcare posts, medicines, sleeping mats, public toilets and other basic needs for evacuees,” Anies said, instructing officials in his administration on Wednesday.
He also emphasized road safety, including by preparing alternative public transportation routes.
Anies said in the afternoon that a total of 19,079 evacuees had taken shelter in makeshift tents and evacuation points prepared by the authorities. The worst-affected area, East Jakarta, saw 9,248 people displaced, followed by South Jakarta with 5,080.
