INDONESIA: Jakarta residents begin massive clean up after floods that killed dozens and left thousands ill

Indonesians began a massive clean up from flood-damaged homes after days of relatively dry weather. Nearly 200,000 people are suffering from flood-related illnesses. Jakarta residents began a major clean up on Monday (February 12) as they swept out mud and water from the streets and schools. In East Jakarta, students and teachers of Perguruan Rakyat elementary school mopped muddy floors, after floods had coated books with mud and chairs and shelves were strewn on the floors. "Since two weeks ago school activities were paralysed. As you can see our school is damaged (by floods)," said school headmaster Nuryati. Flood submerged the school as high as four metres last week. Fears lingered that disease could spread after many of the displaced, who had fallen ill, had to stay in cramped emergency shelters or move back into houses often lacking clean water, plumbing and power. Officials said the number of 190,000 out-patients were reported and only 510 in-patients. At an emergency medical post set up in one of floods' worst hit areas in North Jakarta, patients were queuing for free medical treatment. "Most of the people here suffered from severe respiratory problems, diarrhea and skin diseases," said Doctor Taufan Gunawan, a doctor working at the medical post. Sarti, a resident who worried about her baby daughter's health, breathed a sigh of relief for finally being able to receive medical treatment. "I am glad that there is a clinic in this area, moreover we get can this for free," said she said. The flooding, caused by more than a week of serious rains in Jakarta and surrounding areas, finally eased off last Friday, and officials reported over 400,000 people displaced by the high water. By Monday the figure had fallen to 58,994 in Jakarta proper, National Coordinating Agency for Disaster Management spokesman Suprawoto said. Jakarta has nine million people within its city limits and another five million in the immediate area. The flood killed 48 people within the city and 46 more in adjacent West Java and Banten provinces. Although relatively dry weather over the last few days has improved conditions in flooded areas, Indonesia's rainy season has several weeks to run and could bring fresh downpours. Officials and green groups have blamed excessive construction in Jakarta's water catchment areas.

ITN Source | February 12, 2007

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