Geography

Heavy monsoon rain triggered severe flooding in large swathes of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Thursday 17 Jan, forcing many government offices and businesses to close because staff could not get to work. At least 20,000 people were forced from their homes in the capital. Torrential rain was reported across much of the country, including the main island of Java and heavily agricultural area of southern Sumatra. An estimated more than 175 mm (7 inches) of rain fell in one part of west Jakarta between 7 a.m. and midday. In the centre of Jakarta, where streets are jammed at the best of times, long lines of idled cars waited for waist-deep water to recede. An inflatable dinghy provided by emergency services ferried people to safety across water dividing the heart of the city.The city's main airport was open but many roads leading to it were reportedly blocked. Most commuter trains and buses were suspended.

extracted from http://sg.news.yahoo.com/floods-paralyse-indonesian-capital-heavy-rains-continue-041837878--finance.html