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Disease fears amid Jakarta floods Disease fears amid Jakarta floods
(about 1 hour later)
Indonesian officials fear an outbreak of disease could take hold amid severe flooding in the capital Jakarta, which has already left 25 people dead.Indonesian officials fear an outbreak of disease could take hold amid severe flooding in the capital Jakarta, which has already left 25 people dead.
"We fear that diarrhoea and dysentery may break out, as well as illnesses spread by rats," one official said."We fear that diarrhoea and dysentery may break out, as well as illnesses spread by rats," one official said.
More than a third of a million people are thought to have fled their homes amid Jakarta's worst floods in years, caused by days of torrential rains.More than a third of a million people are thought to have fled their homes amid Jakarta's worst floods in years, caused by days of torrential rains.
While floods were said to have receded in some places, more rain is forecast.While floods were said to have receded in some places, more rain is forecast.
The floods have affected much of the city of at least nine million people - with estimates of the flooded area ranging between nearly 40% and 75%.The floods have affected much of the city of at least nine million people - with estimates of the flooded area ranging between nearly 40% and 75%.
Apart from those swept away or drowned in the flood waters, a number of people had been killed by electrocution, Jakarta police spokesman Ketut Yoga Ana said.Apart from those swept away or drowned in the flood waters, a number of people had been killed by electrocution, Jakarta police spokesman Ketut Yoga Ana said.
Dr Rustam Pakaya, from the health ministry's crisis centre, said the side effect of the flooding might be disease. Dr Rustam Pakaya, from the health ministry's crisis centre, said the unsanitary conditions could cause an outbreak of disease, with fresh water and electricity services down in many areas.
Make-shift rafts are being used to navigate through flood waters In pictures
"People must be careful not to drink dirty water," he warned."People must be careful not to drink dirty water," he warned.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6328977.stm">In pictures: Jakarta flooding The city was already coping with a surge in cases of dengue fever.
Several days of torrential rain have caused rivers to burst their banks, sending muddy water up to 3m (10ft) deep into homes and businesses.Several days of torrential rain have caused rivers to burst their banks, sending muddy water up to 3m (10ft) deep into homes and businesses.
Staff manning a key floodgate in the east of the capital said it had failed and the water flowing in had caused the main canal to burst its banks.Staff manning a key floodgate in the east of the capital said it had failed and the water flowing in had caused the main canal to burst its banks.
Electricity and water supplies remain cut in large areas of the city, and major train lines and some roads have been closed.
Hundreds of residents are still holding out on the second floor of their homes, either trapped or unwilling to move, the BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta says.Hundreds of residents are still holding out on the second floor of their homes, either trapped or unwilling to move, the BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta says.
Residents have resorted to building makeshift rafts
Many of the homeless are sheltering in schools and mosques.Many of the homeless are sheltering in schools and mosques.
Medical teams on rubber rafts are working in the worst affected areas of the city, while thousands of extra police have been deployed to help with evacuation efforts.Medical teams on rubber rafts are working in the worst affected areas of the city, while thousands of extra police have been deployed to help with evacuation efforts.
In some parts horse-drawn carts were deployed to rescue people from their homes.In some parts horse-drawn carts were deployed to rescue people from their homes.
The government is facing renewed criticism that it could have done more to prevent this disaster, our correspondent says.The government is facing renewed criticism that it could have done more to prevent this disaster, our correspondent says.
"Obviously the city did not learn anything after the last [heavy floods], in 2002," the Jakarta Post said, accusing administrators of delaying the building of a canal to control flooding.
RECENT INDONESIAN DISASTERS Train crash 16 Jan 2007: At least five die as train falls from bridge in JavaLandslide 12 Jan 2007: Landslide kills at least 16 on island of SangihePlane crash 1 Jan 2007: Passenger plane carrying 102 people crashes in sea west of Sulawesi islandFerry sinks 30 Dec 2006: More than 350 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and JavaStampede 20 Dec 2006: 10 killed, dozens injured in a stampede at Java pop concertEarthquake 18 Dec 2006: Seven killed, about 100 injured in a quake in Sumatra Indonesia's public perils
"The government is awful," said Jakarta resident Augustina Rusli, who had held out on the upper floor of her house with her 10-month old baby.
"We have a neighbour who is sick with cancer but no one has come to rescue her," she said.
Jakarta's Governor Sutiyoso brushed off criticism, saying the floods were a "natural phenomenon".
"There is no point in throwing abuse around," he said. "I was up till 0300 this morning trying to handle the refugees."
The floods are said to be the worst to hit Jakarta for five years.The floods are said to be the worst to hit Jakarta for five years.
Officials say there is little prospect of an early improvement in the situation.Officials say there is little prospect of an early improvement in the situation.
Meteorologists have warned the downpour is likely to continue for another week, and with heavy rains falling on hilly regions to the south, more flooding is threatened.Meteorologists have warned the downpour is likely to continue for another week, and with heavy rains falling on hilly regions to the south, more flooding is threatened.
"We expect residents to stay alert because water may rise again and very fast," said Sihar Simanjuntak, an official monitoring river levels.
Do you live in the area affected by the flooding? Please send us your comments and experiences.Do you live in the area affected by the flooding? Please send us your comments and experiences.
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