Jakarta Sinks: A New Year’s Eve Disaster Like No Other
When the New Year’s fireworks were swapped out for downpours that turned Jakarta into a giant bathtub, Indonesian rescuers found themselves on a frantic, life‑saving scavenger hunt. Over 43 people lost their lives in that chaotic storm of towers, traffic jams, and suddenly merciless water.
What Went Down
- Record‑breaking rain that started on New Year’s Eve rattled the city
- Flash floods and landslides that turned neighborhoods into floating wreckage
- Swampy streets littered with overturned cars, especially in Bekasi
- Water lines rising up to the second floor of many buildings
Rescue Efforts in Action
Across the capital, about 400,000 residents have been moved to temporary shelters. Rescuers are using inflatable boats and makeshift rafts to haul away kids, seniors, and anyone trapped by the surging water, focusing on eleven still-inundated locations.
“We’re aiming to evacuate more people from the hardest-hit spots,” says Yusuf Latif, spokesman for the National Search and Rescue agency.
Meanwhile, electricians and planners eye future safeguards—courtesy of a cloud‑seeding plan to nudge rain away from the western side of the city and on major river drains that have long been the weak spots in Jakarta’s belly.
The Heart‑Sinking Toll
From the comical to the tragic: an eight‑year‑old fell victim to a landslide, an 82‑year‑old pensioner dived into oblivion swamped by the flood, a 16‑year‑old lost his life to a shocking electricity mishap, and many others faced the chilly hand of hypothermia.
Why Jakarta Has Been Struck Like This
Jakarta’s frequent rainy season is a known worry, but this isn’t just another tidal wave of rain. It was the most catastrophic flood since 2013.
Urban planning guru Yayat Supriatna points out:
“It was terrifying precipitation, but Jakarta’s poor drainage and rampant overdevelopment turned this into a nightmare.”
At the same time, President Joko Widodo has floated a bold plan: move the capital to Borneo. That would relieve Jakarta’s traffic jam‑filled streets and its slowly subsiding embassies.
Where We’re at Now
- Water has receded in many neighborhoods, but powerless streets still run.
- Electrical outages are being restored, though some commuter trains remain on a coffee break.
- Rescue teams continue to push deeper into flooded districts, deploying multitudes of inflatable boats.
Residents are encouraged to move to safer spots: “We’re encouraging people whose houses are still inundated to go to a safer place,” said a spokesperson from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. The wave of support — manned shelters, oxygen stations, and bread — is growing fast.
Looking Ahead in a Fun-But-Important Light
Jakarta’s flood saga reminds us that rain can be an unplanned gig in the city’s crowded schedule. These rescue asides, emergency plans, and perhaps a new capital on Borneo will make sure next time the city can laugh about the flood without losing its heartbeat.
