One dead in Jakarta floods

JAKARTA: Floods that followed hours of heavy rains in Jakarta yesterday have claimed one life, while another person is missing, presumed drowned.

A 37-year-old man, identified as Slamet, died while trying to save his 16-year-old nephew who was washed away in the flooded sluice on Jalan Kemandoran Pluis I in Grogol Utara, South Jakarta.

Mukmin, the victim's brother-in-law, said Slamet was one of a group of locals who had been searching for his son, Adi, who fell into floodwaters earlier in the afternoon.

"I was told that my son jumped because his friends dared him to do so. Actually, he could swim," Mukmin said. "Now I've lost both of them."

Witnesses said Slamet's body was found at the water gate about one kilometer away from the spot where Adi fell. Last night residents had not yet found the missing teenager, who is presumed dead. (26)