Antara, Jakarta – Traffic on Jalan Jatinegara Barat, East Jakarta, was congested as part of the road was flooded following the overflow of the Ciliwung River on Monday morning, February 8. The floodwater reached a height of about 20 centimeters.
The vehicle density occurred at around 6 a.m. as people leaving for work. Riders were forced to travel at low speed when crossing the road which was inundated due to the river overflow on the side of the road.
The flood was also attributable to a heavy downpour. "This morning, the water discharge in the river is high again," said a motorcycle rider Bahruddin Harahap (45).
Large vehicles such as TransJakarta, public transportation, and private vehicles could pass the road even though the river overflows closed more than half of the street.
Motorbikers, meanwhile, took a higher bus lane to avoid the floodwater from Ciliwung River. Some were forced to push their vehicles due to flooded engines, including Bahruddin. "The level of the floodwater is very high. I think it was safe [to pass through]. Now I have to visit a repair shop first," he said.