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Jakartans unprepared for New Year's deluge
Two classrooms at SD 11 Tomang state elementary school were packed with dozens of evacuees who had fled their homes after they became inundated by floodwaters of up to 1 meter in depth.
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Residents use carts to traverse through a flooded street in Jelambar, West Jakarta, on Wednesday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he ground in Tomang subdistrict in Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, was still wet on Thursday morning after a downpour the night before and even more torrential rain that started on New Year’s Eve.
Two classrooms at SD 11 Tomang state elementary school were packed with dozens of evacuees who had fled their homes after they became inundated by floodwaters of up to 1 meter in depth. Fortunately for them, the school was still on a year-end semester break.
Among the flood victims was Marni, who was sitting on the floor with her neighbors, most of whom were women, and their children. All they could do was talk to each other. There was nothing to eat and no fresh water to drink.
“The [Tomang] subdistrict head and his staff visited us yesterday [Wednesday], but they came without bringing any supplies, like drinking water or cup noodles. Someone from the community health center came this morning and gave us food for toddlers only, but the adults are hungry, too,” she told The Jakarta Post.
Heavy rains that started on New Year’s Eve has triggered massive flooding across Jakarta and its satellite cities, killing at least 26 people and forcing thousands to leave their homes.
Born and raised in Tomang, Marni has experienced a fair share of floods. Her house is located in a settlement by the West Flood Canal, along the Ciliwung River, so she was used to flooding during the rainy season.
“We were shocked; this has been the biggest flood in seven years,” the 48-year-old said.
