Floods ease in Jakarta, leaving at least 11 dead and two missing
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An Indonesian man carrying his baby walks through flood waters in west Jakarta on Jan 18, 2013. Severe floods in Jakarta eased on Friday, a day after unusually heavy monsoon rains swamped parts of the Indonesian capital in waist-deep water and left more than 18,000 people homeless. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
JAKARTA (AFP) - Floods in Indonesia's capital Jakarta which have killed at least 11 people and left two missing eased today, authorities said, warning however of more torrential rains which could hamper relief efforts.
The capital's worst floods in five years have forced 18,000 people from their homes, the nation's disaster agency said, with many ferried to temporary shelters on rafts.
"Since January 15, 11 people have died, five of which from electrocution," said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.
Among the dead were two children aged two and 13, said Nugroho, adding that eight per cent of the capital was still inundated this morning and a city-wide state of emergency would apply until Jan 27.
