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Rainfall hampers Jakarta clean-up Jakarta's deadly floods receding
(1 day later)
More rainfall overnight in Indonesia has hampered clean-up efforts after severe flooding in the capital Jakarta. Jakarta residents displaced by floods that killed at least 50 people have begun returning home, despite much of the city still being under water.
Filthy floodwater still covers large parts of the city and officials fear outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever could take hold. Where the waters have receded, people are being confronted with sodden belongings and wrecked properties, covered with smelly mud.
Health workers are treating a growing number of people for diarrhoea and skin diseases due to the polluted waters. More than two-thirds of the 340,000 people forced from their homes by the floods remain in temporary shelters.
The worst flooding in at least five years forced 340,000 people from their homes and killed 44 people. Officials have warned of diseases such as typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea.
Soldiers on boats have been delivering food to some people who have chosen to remain on the roofs of their houses, an army official said. Markets have begun to reopen, with the fewer customers than normal having to wade through water to buy their wares.
Other people are taking shelter in schools, mosques and public buildings. Water levels remain high in lower-lying areas close to rivers where many poorer people live.
Power supplies are still cut off, disrupting telecommunications.
Jakarta's planning minister Paskah Suzzeta said the cost of the flooding is thought to be $452m (£230m).
Where the waters have receded, a thick layer of smelly mud and debris has been left behind.
"The water is all gone but the smell is awful," one 18-year-old woman told the Associated Press.
Reports speak of the smell of fuel fumes and rotting rubbish in streets where residents were dragging out sodden bedding, carpets and clothing.
Thousands of people at one military medical post have been queuing for medicine to treat diarrhoea, skin and respiratory problems.
Map of flood areas Map of flood areas
Water levels had receded in many districts by late Monday, said residents, only to rise again after overnight rains.
More rain is forecast over the coming days, but it is not expected to be as heavy as the downpours that caused the flooding, said meteorologists.
Eyewitness: Jakarta floodsEyewitness: Jakarta floods
The clean-up job facing Jakarta is immense, says the BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta. The clean-up job facing the city is immense, says the BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta.
The flood waters have created piles of rubbish and debris on residential streets.The flood waters have created piles of rubbish and debris on residential streets.
Officials say districts in the east of the city remain under three metres of water and blocked drains are preventing the waters from running off.
Apart from those swept away or drowned, a number of people were killed by electrocution, police spokesman Ketut Yoga Ana said.
"We know it's hard for the residents [to use and drink clean water] under the circumstances, but they have to," said Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari."We know it's hard for the residents [to use and drink clean water] under the circumstances, but they have to," said Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari.
'Natural phenomenon''Natural phenomenon'
A Jakarta health official was quoted by Reuters saying more than 50,000 people had already sought treatment for conditions ranging from coughs to diarrhoea.
The city was already coping with a surge in cases of dengue fever before the floods.The city was already coping with a surge in cases of dengue fever before the floods.
RECENT INDONESIAN DISASTERS Train crash 16 Jan 2007: At least five die as train falls from bridge in JavaLandslide 12 Jan 2007: Landslide kills at least 16 on island of SangihePlane crash 1 Jan 2007: Passenger plane carrying 102 people crashes in sea west of Sulawesi islandFerry sinks 30 Dec 2006: More than 350 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and JavaStampede 20 Dec 2006: 10 killed, dozens injured in a stampede at Java pop concertEarthquake 18 Dec 2006: Seven killed, about 100 injured in a quake in Sumatra Indonesia's public perilsRECENT INDONESIAN DISASTERS Train crash 16 Jan 2007: At least five die as train falls from bridge in JavaLandslide 12 Jan 2007: Landslide kills at least 16 on island of SangihePlane crash 1 Jan 2007: Passenger plane carrying 102 people crashes in sea west of Sulawesi islandFerry sinks 30 Dec 2006: More than 350 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and JavaStampede 20 Dec 2006: 10 killed, dozens injured in a stampede at Java pop concertEarthquake 18 Dec 2006: Seven killed, about 100 injured in a quake in Sumatra Indonesia's public perils
An official also said the flooding would complicate efforts to tackle bird flu, which has killed 63 people in Indonesia in the past few years, making it the country worst hit by the disease. An official also said the flooding would complicate efforts to tackle bird flu, which has killed 63 people in Indonesia in the past few years, making it the country worst hit by the disease. Several days of torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks, sending muddy water up to 3m (10ft) deep into homes and businesses.
Several days of torrential rain have caused rivers to burst their banks, sending muddy water up to 3m (10ft) deep into homes and businesses.
The government is facing renewed criticism that it could have done more to prevent this disaster.The government is facing renewed criticism that it could have done more to prevent this disaster.
"Obviously the city did not learn anything after the last [heavy floods], in 2002," the Jakarta Post said, accusing administrators of delaying the building of a canal to control flooding."Obviously the city did not learn anything after the last [heavy floods], in 2002," the Jakarta Post said, accusing administrators of delaying the building of a canal to control flooding.
"The government is awful," said resident Augustina Rusli, who had held out on the upper floor of her house with her 10-month old baby."The government is awful," said resident Augustina Rusli, who had held out on the upper floor of her house with her 10-month old baby.
"We have a neighbour who is sick with cancer but no one has come to rescue her,""We have a neighbour who is sick with cancer but no one has come to rescue her,"
Jakarta's Governor Sutiyoso brushed off criticism, saying the floods were a "natural phenomenon".Jakarta's Governor Sutiyoso brushed off criticism, saying the floods were a "natural phenomenon".
JAKARTA FLOODS - THE AFFECTED AREAS Between 40% and 75% of Jakarta area affected by flood watersEastern area of the city worst affected, with water about 3m deep Water receded on Monday, but rose again with overnight rain Up to 340,000 people forced from homes and 36 people killedJAKARTA FLOODS - THE AFFECTED AREAS Between 40% and 75% of Jakarta area affected by flood watersEastern area of the city worst affected, with water about 3m deep Water receded on Monday, but rose again with overnight rain Up to 340,000 people forced from homes and 36 people killed
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