Floodwaters rise again in Tangerang

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

Floods again hit Tangerang on Wednesday following heavy rains that drenched the city over the past two days.

Part of the Jakarta-Tangerang toll road was also inundated with water levels reaching 30 centimeters near the Meruya toll gate, causing heavy traffic congestion in both directions.

In Cileduk Indah, Jatiuwung and Total Persada housing estates, the water level increased sharply from between 10 centimeters and 30 centimeters to about 150 centimeters.

During the peak of the flood earlier this month, the water level reached up to three meters.

On Wednesday, the housing complex of the home ministry employees in Karang Mulya subdistrict of Karang Tengah, which had so far escaped the disaster, was also inundated. The water level was between 50 centimeters and one meter.

"This flood is caused by the overflow of Kali Angke river last night. Residents in this complex have been prepared to take refuge in anticipation of further flooding," said Subagio, a resident.

According to Harno, chief of the municipal administration radio and telecommunication control, the water levels in Cisadane river and Kali Sabi river had increased by 50 centimeters.

The recent floods that hit many parts of Tangerang had damaged 3,716 hectares of rice fields, the regency agricultural agency chief Yodi Rosidi said.

"The material losses suffered by farmers reached Rp 1.5 billion," he said.

He said the rice fields, which had just entered the planting season, were located in the northern coastal areas of Tangerang such as Mauk, Pakuhaji and Teluk Naga districts.

He said in order to help ease the farmers' burden, the agency would propose to Tangerang Mayor M. Thamrin to deliver assistance in the form of seeds in order to prevent food shortages that might result from the floods.