Jakarta Floods Displace Thousands as Heavy Rains Batter Indonesia's Capital
Torrential rains have triggered massive floods in Jakarta, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. The floods, reaching up to 3 meters in some areas, have submerged over 1,000 houses and numerous vehicles.
As of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, more than 124,000 people have been affected by the flooding in the Greater Jakarta area. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reports that Bekasi and Banten Province are the hardest-hit regions.
Authorities have evacuated residents to emergency shelters in schools, mosques, and churches. The government is distributing food, clothing, and medications to those displaced by the floods.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has raised the alert level to the second-highest critical stage. Local officials are activating water pumps and conducting weather modification operations to mitigate the flooding.
The floods have also impacted critical infrastructure, with reports of a hospital in Bekasi being partially submerged. Patients were evacuated to other buildings as floodwaters entered some wards.
Weather forecasts predict heavy rain to continue until March 11, raising concerns of further flooding. The BNPB has scheduled weather modification operations from March 4 to 8 in the upstream area of Puncak Bogor.
This flooding event is reportedly the worst to hit Jakarta since 2020. That year, floods claimed 60 lives following the heaviest one-day rainfall since records began in 1866.
Residents are urged to stay alert and follow evacuation orders. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate relief efforts across affected areas.
The Jakarta administration is encouraging residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to low-cost apartments. They have recently completed construction of 800 new units in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta.
As Jakarta grapples with this crisis, the resilience of its people is being tested. The coming days will be crucial in determining the full impact of these devastating floods.
