"We evacuated about 12 residents in Cipinang Muara, including elderly people and babies," said Andi, rescue team leader at the East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency.
Speaking at the flooded site, Andi said the team responded after receiving reports that several residents needed evacuation assistance as floodwaters continued rising in the residential area.
The rescue operation involved eight personnel equipped with emergency gear to reach homes cut off by floodwater.
Rescuers also deployed a rubber boat to transport residents from flooded houses to safer locations outside the inundated neighborhood.
According to Andi, two of those evacuated were infants who required special attention during the rescue effort.
Several elderly residents were also evacuated because of their vulnerability and limited mobility in flood conditions.
"Thankfully all residents were successfully evacuated. Everyone is safe," Andi said.
However, he said the evacuation process was complicated by narrow access roads leading to the residential area.
Rescue teams also had to cross a canal with a relatively strong current before reaching the stranded residents.
"The access roads were very narrow and we had to cross a canal, so the team had to deploy additional equipment to reach the location," Andi said.
He added that the strong water current forced rescuers to proceed carefully to ensure the safety of both residents and personnel.
Extra caution was required while evacuating infants and elderly residents because of the unstable conditions in the flooded area.
After the rescue operation ended, the evacuated residents were taken to a temporary shelter set up by the Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency.
The shelter was established near the neighborhood community post to accommodate displaced residents from the affected area.
Andi confirmed that all evacuees were in safe condition after being moved to the evacuation center.
He urged residents to remain alert for possible flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall that can quickly raise water levels in rivers across East Jakarta.
Floodwater in residential areas of neighborhood unit RW 04 in Cipinang Melayu reached about 1.5 meters on Sunday morning.
The flooding was triggered by the overflow of the Sunter River combined with heavy rain that began on Saturday night.
The worst flooding occurred in houses located along the riverbanks where water levels rose significantly.
Several neighborhood units were severely affected, with water levels in some locations approaching two meters.
At least six smaller neighborhood clusters, known locally as RTs, were inundated by floodwater in RW 04.
The affected areas included RT 1, RT 2, RT 3, RT 4, RT 5 and RT 7 in Cipinang Melayu.
Residents in RW 04 remained on alert on Sunday as they waited for floodwaters to recede.
Local community officials continued monitoring water levels and ensuring evacuation shelters remained ready if conditions worsened.
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Translator: Siti N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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