The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said rain will continue to fall with a medium intensity until mid February.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono called on the people to remain on the alert against possible flooding until the middle of next month.

"The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said rain will continue to fall with a medium intensity until mid February," the minister said at the State Palace here on Tuesday.

He said that the government hoped the people would remain on the alert against floods and those who were still staying in refugee camps should seriously pay attention to the directives of apparatuses on whether they could already go back to their respective homes.

"The number of evacuees has declined from about 40,000 to about 18,000. This number will possibly continue to decrease. The government will pay attention to their need for logistics such as clean water and food stuff. Now we are thinking how to prevent the outbreak of diseases such as diarrhea, particularly in still wet areas," the coordinating minister said.

The minister said the government would provide guidance on locations that could be used as refugee centers without necessarily disturbing the function of public facilities. Thus, he said, school buildings and public places should not be used as places for refugees.

"We will look for a better place in the first place, except when we fail to find one," he added.

Last week, Jakarta was hit by floods which peaked on Thursday, killing at least 15 residents until Sunday. It was the second worst after the one in 2007 which killed 80 residents and caused a loss of Rp4.3 trillion.

The flooding in Jakarta has seriously affected businesses, disturbed goods and logistics distribution and caused at least 300 factories to stop operations.

The TransJakarta Busway operator was forced to stop the operation of its buses in all lanes.

On Monday, Chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufiq Kiemas appealed to all parties to cooperate in handling floods in Jakarta.

"We hope that we all should cooperate in tackling the flood problems. It is impossible for Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo to work alone, we should provide mutual help," Taufiq said.

Until Tuesday, about 12 areas in West and North Jakarta were still inaccessible due to floods, said a spokesperson for the National Police Institution, Inspector General Pol Suhardi Alius, on Tuesday.

"There are five areas in West Jakarta that are still affected by floods. Flood waters have reached a height of 30 centimetres or 40 centimetres in these areas. In North Jakarta, flood waters have reached a height of 70 centimetres. Some of the places in North Jakarta that have been affected by floods are Pluit, Muara Baru and Penjaringan," he said.

The government has declared a state of emergency in Jakarta. Floods had hit Jakarta on January 16.

"According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, heavy downpours will continue until next week. Therefore, I am declaring a state of emergency in Jakarta until January 27," said Jakarta`s Governor, Joko Widodo.

Twenty seven people have died because of floods in Jakarta and its vicinity. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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