At least 2 killed, 20 injured as more floods and landslides hit Jakarta and West Java, Indonesia

More floods and landslides struck Indonesia's capital Jakarta and nearby areas, including West Java, claiming at least two lives and leaving 20 others injured, officials reported Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Since January this year, at least 283 people have died as a result of natural calamities due to severe weather.​

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in several parts of Jakarta on Monday, September 21, inundating 49 neighborhood units, according to the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). 

Floodwaters reached up to 1 m (3 feet) in 23 areas of East Jakarta, up to 0.8 m (2.6 feet) in 14 neighborhoods of West Jakarta, and up to 0.5 m (1.6 feet) in 10 areas of South Jakarta, as well as one each in the north and central areas.

Most flooding occurred in the West Cengkareng subdistrict, Banten, where waters reached up to 0.3 m (1 foot), said BPBD information and communication center head, Raditya Jati. 

In a press conference on Monday, Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan reported that the capital's upstream regions were also lashed by heavy rains, causing the Katulampa in Bogor, West Java, to reach its highest warning level as the waters surpassed 2 m (6.5 feet) for around 30 minutes.

Anies ordered authorities to warn residents near the Ciliwung River, which flows through Jakarta and West Java. "We are preparing shelters in case they get hit by a flood."

"This time, it's a bit different because the shelters have to comply with COVID-19 health protocols," he added, also noting that the water gates in the capital were monitored to make sure that waters from the upstream region will flow smoothly. 

As of Tuesday morning, 32 roads in West Jakarta and North Jakarta were still submerged in waters, including some roads in West Cengkareng. At least 15 people were forced to evacuate.

Disaster mitigation officers set up four evacuation points– the Riyadhul Saadah Mosque in Kembangan Utara, PT Delta Laras Wisata's office building, official residences, and the Rawajati community health center in South Jakarta.

Meanwhile, two bodies were retrieved in West Java's Sukabumi district, with the search mission ongoing as another person is still missing. Hundreds of rescuers are involved in the rescue operations, including soldiers and police. 

Landslides also hit the area, damaging nine houses, 10 bridges, and leaving 20 people injured. 

Citizens have been advised to be alert on the possibility of more floods and landslides, as well as whirlwinds.

At least 283 people have lost their lives as a result of natural disasters due to severe weather this year, according to data from BNPB.

A total of 2 069 natural calamities have occurred in Indonesia from January to September, including 773 flood events and 378 landslides.

Featured image credit: BNPB