- Title: INDONESIA: Floods submerge capital, 4 die
- Date: 17th January 2013
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (JANUARY 17, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FIRE ENGINE MOVING PEOPLE ACROSS FLOODED ROAD PEOPLE CROSSING FLOODED STREET IN A RUBBER DINGY VARIOUS RESCUERS WITH RUBBER DINGY HELPING OFFICE WORKERS PEOPLE ON HIGHER GROUND FLOOD WATER A BUS TRAPPED IN FLOOD BUS PASSENGERS GETTING OUT STALLED BUS MORE OF FLOODED ROAD/VEHICLES
- Embargoed: 1st February 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- City:
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Disasters,Weather
- Reuters ID: LVA2XBUPBAAIR7HCLG7PTCIQN1Z
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Heavy monsoon rains triggered severe flooding in large swathes of the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday (January 17), killing four an bringing the city to a halt.
In the centre of Jakarta, where streets are jammed at the best of times, long lines of idled cars waited for waist-deep water to recede.
Inflatable dinghies provided by emergency services ferried people to safety across water dividing the heart of the city.
At least 20,000 people were forced from their homes in the capital and weather officials warned the rain could get worse over the next few days.
Four people were reported to have been killed, according to the National Disaster Prevention Agency, which urged residents to stay at home to reduce traffic congestion on blocked roads.
Torrential rain was reported across much of the country, including the main island of Java and heavily agricultural area of southern Sumatra. This year's monsoon season has brought some of the heaviest downpours for five years.
However, officials said there had been no reports of any serious damage to key crops such as rice, sugar and palm oil.
An estimated more than 175 mm (7 inches) of rain fell in one part of west Jakarta between 7 a.m. and midday.
The city's main airport was open but many roads leading to it were reportedly blocked. Most commuter trains and buses were suspended.
The Jakarta Stock Exchange did open but trading was light.
Flooding was even reported at the presidential palace, forcing the postponement of a meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his visiting Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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