Floods are menacing

Floods are menacing

In early February last year, heavy rain submerged many parts of the capital, including areas that had never before been touched by flood waters. The flooding claimed many lives and crippled the capital for days.

Thousands of people had to spend nights in their vehicles or in roadside shelters because the roads to their homes were underwater.

Now, one year later, we are again entering February and heavy rains are expected. The peak of the rainy season for Greater Jakarta is expected to be in February.

Gunawan Ibrahim, head of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, has warned people to be alert as the soil will not be able to absorb excessive rain water. He said preparation and precaution are necessary to anticipate the flooding.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta