"We have channeled Rp4.5 billion the buffer stock needs before we entered the 2013 New Year," Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has provided Rp4.5 billion for the need to prepare buffer stocks for flood handling in Jakarta.

"We have channeled Rp4.5 billion the buffer stock needs before we entered the 2013 New Year," Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri said when inspecting a flood command post in Bukit Duri village, South Jakarta, on Thursday night.

The minister had an observation tour of flood locations and command posts in a number of flooded areas in Jakarta. During the tour, the minister handed over 10,000 blankets worth Rp540 million and 50 tons of rice.

The assistance was channeled to all points of evacuation centers.

Thursday`s floods in Jakarta affected residents in 500 RTs (neighborhood sections) and 203 RWs (neighborhoods) in 44 villages scattered in 25 sub districts.

The number of residents who were flooded reached 25,276 families or 94,624 people. Of the number 15,447 were evacuated to safer places and emergency shelters, makeshifts or tens.

Since Tuesday, a total of five victims died in the flooding.

About 15,447 people in Jakarta are forced to evacuate following floods that have hit the capital since Tuesday (Jan 15).

"Up till now floods have caused five casualties," spokesman to National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here on Thursday.

Meanwhile until Thursday afternoon water in Ciliwung river has receded. However, Jakarta has been declared in emergency state until January 27.

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.

One of the main roads of the city, Jalan Thamrin, was severely flooded, while many other roads in Central Jakarta, including the National Monument (Monas) square, were also submerged. People employed at offices along these roads found it hard to reach their workplaces.

Trains services were also disrupted. Commuter trains from Depok had to stop in Manggarai railway station, while others such as those serving the Serpong-Jakarta route stopped at Pondok Ranji and Pal Merah stations. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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