21 dead after heavy rain floods Indonesian capital

The death toll from severe flooding and landslides in and around Indonesia's capital Jakarta reached at least 21 on Thursday, with more heavy rain forecast, authorities said.

The deadliest floods since 2013 displaced more than 30,000 people and caused chaos across parts of Southeast Asia's biggest city with train lines blocked and power outages in some areas.

Swathes of Jakarta and nearby towns were inundated after heavy rain fell on New Year's Eve and continued until the following morning.

More rain, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, are expected on Thursday.

Authorities did not give a full breakdown of the causes of death for all of the victims, but earlier said four people had drowned, four died in landslides and four more were electrocuted, while three died of hypothermia.

Jakarta and its surroundings, home to more than 30 million people, are frequently flooded during the rainy season, which runs from November to March.

More than 50 people died in one of the capital's deadliest floods in 2007, and five years ago, much of the center of the city was inundated after canals overflowed.

In the last few years, city authorities sought to improve low-lying Jakarta's vulnerability to flooding during the rainy season.

(Cover: Indonesian rescue team evacuate residents from their flooded house at Jatibening on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, January 1, 2020. /AP Photo)

(REUTERS)