Poor drainage system leads to flooding

Poor drainage system leads to flooding

JAKARTA (JP): Relatively small amounts of rainfall left many
streets in the capital, including Jl. Fatmawati in South Jakarta,
flooded on Friday, causing bumper-to-bumper traffic across the
city.

Traffic congestion, which has become a routine sight since
the beginning of the annual rainy season, was seen on major
thoroughfares such as Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, and in
numerous locations, including Slipi and Senayan.

The flooding is mainly the result of the poor construction of
the city's drainage system.

In Tubagus Angke, Jembatan Dua, West Jakarta, two people,
including a bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) driver, were
injured after an economy-class train traveling from Kota to
Rangkas Bitung in West Java hit a truck and a minivan stuck in
traffic at a railway crossing.

According to the truck driver, Dodi, the guard at the crossing
did not close the gates or alert motorists that a train was
approaching.

"Nobody knew the train was coming," he said.

Witnesses and local police said the bajaj driver was injured
after his vehicle was hit by Dodi's truck, which was smashed in
the rear by the train.

The victims were rushed to Husada and Atma Jaya hospitals.
(bby/bsr)