When Jakarta Floods. Some of These Photos Are Crazy…

By TravelWiseJan 18, 2013 16:34 PMOther
Share:
When Jakarta Floods. Some of These Photos Are Crazy…
When Jakarta Floods. Some of These Photos Are Crazy…

When your house gets flooded and everything you own washes around your ankles, you feel like the world has been turned upside down. Anyone who has ever lived through flooding in Jakarta will know what I mean, but I’ll get to that later.

Over the last week the rains have come in the late evening. The rumble of thunder in the distance bringing with it a welcome drop in temperature, but the pssibility of flooding in Jakarta. Despite this I went to sleep with a smile on my face after returning from the pub last Wednesday night as the dull thump of rain hammered rhythmically on the rooftop.

I drifted in and out of sleep, waking up and closing my eyes to the steady patter of raindrops or the sound of a torrential downpour. When I woke up in the morning it was still raining and I knew there would be flooding in Jakarta, quite where it would be I wasn’t so sure.

Flooding in Jakarta is a recurrent problem; in fact most of the city is actually below sea level. Maybe that was part of the reason that the Dutch decided to colonise Indonesia, feeling right at home under the waves. After they arrived they quickly created a system of canals to manage the cities water levels and kept the waters moving so mosquitoes couldn’t settle and breed.

Fast forward more than sixty years and after almost a generation of neglect and under spending what you have is a system of canals that are full of human waste and rubbish. In short not something capable of dealing with the monsoon like rains that hit the city causing flooding in Jakarta.

In total almost 20,000 people were made homeless as a result of flooding in Jakarta and the meteorologists believe more heavy rains are on the way. The city, which is my home, has drawn to a virtual standstill; I had trouble going more than a couple of hundred metres from my home.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
View of Helsinki Airport terminal with passengers silhouetted against large windows

Finland’s Airports to Operate Normally During Peak July Travel After Strike Threat Lifted

Jul 13, 2025 21:28 PM
Delta Airlines Boeing 767 aircraft climbing after takeoff at sunset

New Direct Flight Links Utah to Peru’s Natural Wonders

Jul 12, 2025 21:36 PM

Kimpton Hotel to Open for the First Time in Ubud’s Historic Centre

Jul 12, 2025 13:41 PM

Glasgow Airport Strike to Hit Summer Flights and Holiday Plans

Jul 12, 2025 05:27 AM
Modern train traveling through green landscape on Calder Valley route

Calder Valley Route Boost Ensures Smoother Travel During Huddersfield Station Upgrade

Jul 12, 2025 03:34 AM
Croatia Airlines aircraft in flight against clear blue sky

Croatia Airlines Connects Milan to Zagreb with Direct Flights

Jul 11, 2025 23:45 PM
Boats anchored near Es Vedrà rock off the coast of Cala Molí, Ibiza

EDITION Moves Beyond Hotels with Series of Beach Events in Ibiza

Jul 11, 2025 22:52 PM
Stylish bed with decorative pillows and modern lighting in a villa bedroom

Maldives Beach Villas Redesigned to Meet Growing Demand for Privacy and Nature Immersion

Jul 11, 2025 18:38 PM
flydubai aircraft taxiing on airport runway

flydubai Launches All-in-One Summer Travel Packages for Regional Trips

Jul 11, 2025 16:46 PM

Rail Closures on Brighton Line This Sunday Could Disrupt Weekend Travel Plans

Jul 11, 2025 04:23 AM

Eurostar Updates Route: New Daily Services Between London and Amsterdam

Jul 11, 2025 02:39 AM
Wizz Air aircraft approaching for landing against clear sky

Wizz Air’s Early Return Reconnects Tel Aviv with Key Cities

Jul 10, 2025 23:47 PM
Workers in high-visibility gear conduct railway maintenance using machinery on a curved track under construction

Rail Maintenance in South Wales to Disrupt Travel Near Cardiff Airport and Coastal Attractions

Jul 10, 2025 21:31 PM
Jet2.com airplane flying against a clear blue sky

Jet2.com Expands UK Winter Flights to Key Alpine Destinations for 2026/27 Season

Jul 10, 2025 19:25 PM
Modern hotel bedroom with dark accent wall and stylish bedding

Bangkok’s Historic Anantara Siam Hotel Updates Facilities While Welcoming Guests

Jul 10, 2025 18:48 PM

Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Coming to All China Airlines Cabins This August

Jul 10, 2025 09:32 AM

Bridge Works to Sever Rail Traffic Between Kew and Barnes for Nine Days

Jul 9, 2025 21:27 PM
Passenger using phone during a flight

Wizz Air Launches Mobile Feature to Manage Summer Flight Disruptions

Jul 9, 2025 19:34 PM
Facial recognition scan on man's face with processing overlay

Facial Recognition Boarding Now in Use at JFK Terminal 1

Jul 9, 2025 17:43 PM
Emirates aircraft taking off from runway

Emirates Adjusts Gulf Travel with New Aircraft on Key Route

Jul 9, 2025 09:29 AM
Rail workers performing track maintenance at a train station during daytime

Planned Rail Works to Impact Night Trains Between Llandudno and Holyhead

Jul 9, 2025 07:36 AM
Philippine Airlines aircraft taking off in cloudy sky

Manila Sapporo Air Route Restored This Winter Boosting Winter Travel Choices

Jul 8, 2025 20:42 PM

Ipswich Train Services Updated to Handle Large Crowds During Ed Sheeran Concerts

Jul 8, 2025 18:37 PM

WestJet Expands Winter Flights, Unlocking New Warm-Weather Destinations for Travelers

Jul 8, 2025 16:24 PM
Transavia aircraft taking off under clear blue sky

Transavia opens early booking for popular summer 2026 routes

Jul 8, 2025 14:41 PM
Rail workers conducting maintenance inside a tunnel at night

Severn Estuary Rail Closure to Disrupt Summer Travel to Key Outdoor Spots

Jul 8, 2025 10:38 AM