Indonesian capital hit by severe flooding

(Vatican Radio) For the last two days downpours have continued in much of Indonesia but especially in the capital Jakarta which has been hit by severe flooding. According to the country’s National Disaster Prevention Agency a number of people have been killed and at least 20,000 people have been forced from their homes in the capital as rain continues to fall.

On Thursday many government offices and businesses were forced to close because staff could not get to work.

Caritas Indonesia is responding to the situation as their Communications Officer Dian Lestariningsih explains, “We are working with one commission in the Archdiocese of Jakarta…They are responding in three main areas; they are preparing evacuation tools and equipment and also the boats for the rescue of the victims of the Jakarta flooding.”


Residents in Jakarta have been urged to stay at home to reduce traffic gridlock but Dian says despite this call, the situation on the roads remains chaotic.“Traffic to Jakarta is really horrible situation, it’s a traffic jam everywhere…”Weather forecasters are warning that the rain could get worse over the coming days and officials have indicated that a state of emergency which is currently in place will continue through January 27th.

Listen to this report by Lydia O’Kane