The Brimob personnel were assigned under the operational command of police resort chiefs who knew well about flood-affected areas in their jurisdiction, assistant for operations to the national police chief Insp Gen Irjen Badrodin Haiti said here on Thursday.
He said the Brimob personnel were equipped with safety instruments including 40 inflated boats to help flood victims.
Office and daily activities in Jakarta were almost completely paralyzed on Thursday as floodwaters hit the capital city and inundated its roads.
Traffic jams were seen in various parts of the city as vehicles struggled to move on the flooded roads. Many two-wheelers faced engine trouble and had to be pushed along.
About 15,447 people were forced to evacuate themselves following the floods that have hit the capital since Tuesday, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here on Thursday.
At least five people were killed in the floods, he said adding that electrocuted and sickness were among reasons behind their deaths.
Meanwhile until Thursday afternoon water in Ciliwung river has receded. However, Jakarta has been declared in emergency state until January 27.
(S012/S012/B003)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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