Heavy Rain Floods 21 Jakarta Neighborhoods

Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in 21 Jakarta Neighbourhoods This Morning Intense rainfall overnight and into the early hours of Thursday triggered widespread flooding across 21 neighbourhoods in Jakarta, according to reports from Tempo.co English and local disaster management officials. The downpour began around 2:00 a.m. Local time and intensified through the morning, overwhelming drainage systems in low-lying areas of the city. The Jakarta Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) confirmed that floodwaters reached depths of up to 50 centimetres in several districts, including parts of North Jakarta, East Jakarta, and Central Jakarta. Affected neighbourhoods included Kampung Melayu, Cipinang, and Rawamangun, where residents reported water entering homes and obstructing major roads such as Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and Jalan Cikini. Emergency response teams were deployed by 6:00 a.m. To assist with evacuations and distribute relief supplies. The BPBD reported that temporary shelters were opened in three locations — Sekolah Dasar Negeri 01 Kampung Melayu, Balai Kota Jakarta Pusat, and Gedung BPBD Jakarta — to accommodate displaced residents. By mid-morning, over 120 people had been registered at these sites, though many others chose to stay with relatives or remain in their homes despite the flooding. Transportation was significantly disrupted. TransJakarta bus services were suspended on multiple corridors, including Blok M–Kota and Harmoni–Pulo Gadung, due to submerged roads and safety concerns. Commuters faced delays of over an hour on key routes, and several motorcycle taxi drivers reported being stranded in floodwaters while attempting to navigate alternate paths. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) attributed the extreme rainfall to a convergence of moist air masses from the Indian Ocean and a slow-moving low-pressure system over the Java Sea. Rainfall measurements recorded at the BMKG station in Ciputat reached 120 millimetres within a six-hour period, exceeding the monthly average for March in some areas by more than 50%. No casualties were reported as of 10:00 a.m., according to the Jakarta Health Office. However, officials warned of potential health risks associated with stagnant floodwater, including skin infections and waterborne diseases, particularly in areas with poor sanitation infrastructure. The agency advised residents to avoid direct contact with floodwater and to boil drinking water if supplies were suspected of contamination. City officials stated that drainage maintenance crews were working to clear debris from clogged canals and pump stations, with efforts focused on the East Flood Canal and the Ciliwung River basin. The Jakarta Public Works Agency noted that while recent infrastructure upgrades had improved flow capacity in certain zones, the intensity of the rainfall exceeded design thresholds for many secondary drainage networks. As of noon, water levels had begun to recede in several neighbourhoods due to ongoing pumping operations and reduced rainfall intensity. The BPBD indicated that monitoring would continue through the afternoon, with updates expected by 4:00 p.m. Local time regarding the status of shelters and potential further evacuations. No official announcement has been made regarding the reopening of schools or public facilities for the remainder of the day.