Cemetery in TPU Pondok Kelapa submerged in water due to flooding

The tomb at the Pondok Kelapa TPU was submerged in water due to flooding/ Photo: ANTARA

JAKARTA - High rainfall that has hit the Jakarta area since Thursday morning has caused a number of tombs at the Pondok Kelapa Public Cemetery (TPU), Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, to be flooded.

"The estimated water height is around 40 centimeters (cm) because the rain from the morning did not stop, it was also heavy," said one of the residents of Pondok Kelapa, Surya (50), Thursday.

Flooding began at around 10.00 WIB after the area was hit by heavy rain.

According to Surya, the flooding occurred due to the water channels around the TPU which were small in size so that they were not able to accommodate the large amount of rainwater.

"The water started to rise from 10.00 WIB. The channel is small, the rain is heavy, so the water is not contained," said Surya.

The condition of the flood this time, he said, is different from usual. The water even overflows into areas that were previously rarely affected by puddles.

"Usually, when residents get home, it's not like this. But because they can't hold any more, the water overflows," he said.

He estimated that the condition would be worse if heavy rains lasted longer.

"If the rain does not subside, it is likely to be higher. This is an area with low ground that is flooded, if it is not higher," he said.

East Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) personnel (Jaktim) reported that the flood that hit several areas today disrupted the activities of residents, especially in densely populated residential areas.

"The puddles and floods that lasted until noon made the mobility of residents limited," said Head of the Task Force Coordinator for the East Jakarta BPBD Region Ali Kojim, quoted by ANTARA.

As in Jalan Taruna Pahlawan Revolusi, Pondok Bambu Village, Duren Sawit District, the flood reached 50 centimeters since 11.00 WIB.

This condition makes it difficult for the neighborhood road access to be passed and residents' activities are disrupted, especially for children and the elderly.

In addition to Pondok Bambu, flooding also occurred on Jalan Cempaka VI RW 009 RT 008, Cakung Timur Village, Cakung District, with a water level of around 15 centimeters.

Meanwhile, a 10-centimeter-high puddle was observed on Jalan DI Panjaitan, Cipinang Cempedak Village, Jatinegara District.