Jakarta flooded

The weather had been fine for the last few days, and yet -- believe it or not -- Jakarta was flooded again. I live in Pluit, North Jakarta. On June 4, when I went to work, I was very surprised to find that part of Pluit's residential area was flooded with water, which came up from ditches along the streets.

At that time, I thought that it might be caused by jammed ditches and would soon be settled. To our puzzlement, the flood did not show any signs of declining in the evening. Then things got worse the following morning. I was shocked to see that the flood waters had risen even higher, spreading into wider areas. It was not only the Pluit area that was flooded, but also Telok Gong and some parts of Jl. Kali Besar (behind the Omni Batavia Hotel).

Good Heavens! What on earth had happened? I hope that someone (perhaps someone from the authorities concerned with this matter) can give us an explanation.

KINGSLEY M.

Jakarta