Massive Floods in Jakarta Force Thousands to Evacuate Amid Heavy Rains

Jakarta, Indonesia – Severe flooding has hit Jakarta, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate as torrential rain continues to batter the region. Since Monday, floodwaters have reached up to 3 meters (10 feet) high, submerging over 1,000 homes and vehicles, and disrupting daily life across the Indonesian capital.

Jakarta Declares Emergency as Floodwaters Rise

Governor Pramono Anung has raised the city’s flood alert to the second-highest critical level, urging local authorities to activate water pumps and deploy weather modification technology to prevent further devastation. These measures include cloud seeding operations, which involve dispersing salt into clouds to induce rain before it reaches flood-prone areas.

Hospitals and Roads Impacted, Thousands Await Rescue

The eastern city of Bekasi has been particularly hard-hit, with floodwaters entering a major hospital, leading to patient evacuations and power outages in several wards. Rescue teams have been navigating flooded streets in rubber boats, helping trapped residents escape the rising waters.

One resident, Sri Suyatni, 50, described the devastation:

"I had no time to save anything. My entire house is underwater. I just hope the floods recede soon."

Jakarta’s Worst Flooding Since 2020?

Flooding is a recurring crisis in Jakarta, home to over 30 million people. However, local reports suggest the current floods—particularly in Bekasi—are the worst since 2020, when record-breaking rainfall caused 60 fatalities across the capital.

As heavy rains are forecasted to continue, authorities are urging residents to remain alert and follow evacuation orders.