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)