Just in case you've seen anything about Jakarta flooding on the news, know that we are in a very safe place, and have no reason to be worried about our safety. I'm sitting at my desk right now, and normally wouldn't be blogging from school, but we just got the PA announcement that we won't have school tomorrow (Friday). While part of me wants to jump up and down about having a three-day weekend, my heart also hurts for all the people who are suffering this very minute.
Government authorities have placed the city on the highest flood alert. I've heard it has been classified as a monsoon, but that's on top of the everyday rain we receive in the wet season (of which we still have two months to go).
"This year's rainy season has brought some of the heaviest downpours in five years. In the centre of Jakarta, overflowing with cars at the best of times, traffic was brought to a near standstill by waist-high floodwaters."
- Jakarta Guardian
- Jakarta Guardian
See below:
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| this picture was taken this morning, and the rain isn't supposed to stop anytime soon |
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| Zoomed out view of the city center |
Most of our Indonesian staff, who aren't housed near the school in tall apartments, left school early today. Mostly to avoid hours of traffic, but some have already posted pictures of their drive-ways under water. The complex we live in (Kemang Village) is higher in elevation, but out the window of our apartment, we can see the river that has flooded into the nearby kampungs (villages).
I'm so thankful that we live where we do. We are SO spoiled in times like these. We have a grocery store just an elevator ride away, and a mall next door. On our day off tomorrow, we could see a movie for about $3, and go out to eat at the newly opened TGI Friday's. I feel embarrassed to write this, knowing how many others have been forced out of their homes, and yet we can do nothing (physically) to help them. Please join us in prayer for the people of Jakarta who are affected.
Here's a link to a video/news report if you want more info.
wow! Is Jakarta prepared for this kind of water? I'm guessing they get it a lot. So glad you guys are safe!
ReplyDeleteWell, they had a really bad flood just five years ago. The city is used to the rain, but no, it doesn't deal with it well. There isn't good drainage because rivers and drainage ways are clogged with trash. It's in a sad state, because it's made worse every day by not disposing of trash properly.
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