Falling tree causes traffic jams

JAKARTA: A mature tree was blown over in strong winds during the heavy rain, causing traffic jams in many parts of the city.

The 10-meter-tall tree, located on Jl. Lapangan Ros, Tebet, South Jakarta, fell at about 4 p.m., just before workers were due to go home for the day, detik.com reported.

As a result, the traffic from Kuningan heading to Kampung Melayu, and that in the opposite direction, ground to a complete halt.

Traffic jams also occurred along Jl. Saharjo and Jl. Dr. Supomo, as well as roads in the Menteng area, Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin.

The situation became chaotic as motorists ignored traffic lights, while pedestrians jumped over the road medians.

Ojek (motorcycle taxis) were in high demand.

But motorcycles were obstructed too.

"Usually it takes me 15 minutes to go from Kuningan to Kampung Melayu. But today,I needed an hour and a half for the same journey," said an ojek driver.--JP