Massive floods marked the first day of 2020 in Greater Jakarta on Wednesday after heavy rains pounded the the capital and its peripheral areas since New Year’s Eve.  

The rain that has soaked the capital city since Tuesday has caused floods in housing areas, at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta and disrupted train networks.

The Transportation Ministry’s air transportation director-general, Polana B. Pramesti, said the airport has been closed since midnight, since its runways were inundated by up to 80 centimeters of water.

[RA: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/01/01/flights-disrupted-trains-delayed-as-massive-floods-hit-jakarta.html? src=mostviewed&pg=news/2020/01/01/two-reportedly-dead-in-jakarta-floods-as-authorities-begin-evacuation.html]

East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency head Gatot Sulaeman told The Jakarta Post that more than 500 residents had been evacuated from 10 points in Pulo Gadung, Ciracas, Makasar, Jatinegara, Duren Sawit, Kramat Jati and Cakung, East Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Anies said, in a recorded statement to Jakarta administration staffers received by the Post, that all government offices and schools should be ready to be used as shelters for evacuees. He ordered road safety to be ensured, including through the preparation of alternative routes for public transportation affected by the floods.

Commuter train operator PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek (KCJ) said adjustments had been made on some routes as the tracks were flooded in parts. The operator had temporarily stopped serving the Lintas Duri to Tangerang route and trains were unable to pass Tanah Abang station. Those traveling from Rangkasbitung, Maja, Parungpanjang and Serpong would have to alight at Palmerah Station or Kebayoran Station.

[RA: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/01/01/two-reportedly-dead-in-jakarta-floods-as-authorities-begin-evacuation.html]