JAKARTA (ANN/JAKARTA POST) – Extreme weather has triggered widespread floods and landslides across Indonesia, impacting thousands of homes and disrupting holiday travel as millions prepare for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Tidal floods, locally known as rob, have inundated coastal areas of North Jakarta since last Friday, affecting at least 12,000 residents. Floodwaters reached up to one meter deep in areas like Pademangan, Penjaringan, Cilincing, and Tanjung Priok, disrupting traffic and Commuter Line services. Hundreds of homes near Muara Angke harbor have experienced daily flooding for over a week.
Similar tidal flooding has impacted Karawang regency in West Java, affecting over 5,400 families and inundating schools, mosques, and fishponds, impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen.
Further inland, torrential rain caused a devastating flash flood in South Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, on Wednesday. The flood, carrying debris and mud, damaged hundreds of homes, injured 10 people, and displaced 350. At least four houses were swept away, and power was cut to affected areas. A day earlier, flooding and landslides in Temanggung regency, Central Java, resulted in one death and one injury.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned of increased rainfall intensity due to a weak La Niña, with peak rainy season expected in late December for Sumatra and southern Java, and in January for central and northern Java. Acting Jakarta governor Teguh Setyabudi attributed the Jakarta flooding to a combination of extreme weather, rising sea levels, the new moon phase, and land subsidence.
