Andrew Tito, Wahroni, Tangerang – A housing complex in Tangerang City was submerged almost to rooftop level on Sunday after heavy overnight rain triggered severe flooding, forcing 860 residents to evacuate.
Floodwaters exceeding four meters inundated homes in Periuk Damai housing complex, where even two-story houses were partially submerged up to the second floor. A total of 265 families were affected by the disaster.
Most residents sought temporary shelter with relatives in nearby cities or moved to public facilities such as mosques that were less severely affected by the flooding.
"The water reached more than four meters. Even in two-story houses, the second floor was still flooded up to knee level," said Elly, a middle-aged resident of the complex.
"This flood is worse than the one we experienced in early January," she added.
The residential area lies near the Ledug River, which overflowed after heavy rainfall increased water volume. A river embankment built along the riverbank also collapsed after failing to withstand the pressure of rising water, residents said.
Flooding also continued to affect Ciledug Indah housing complex and several major roads across Tangerang.
The Tangerang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported that at least nine districts in the city were affected by flooding with varying levels of severity.
Flooding spreads across Jakarta
Heavy rain and overflowing rivers also triggered flooding in 148 residential areas across Jakarta, according to city authorities.
Water levels in the affected neighborhoods ranged from 20 centimeters to around 1.5 meters, said Jakarta BPBD head Isnawa Adji.
Local authorities deployed emergency teams to pump out floodwater, clear drainage channels, and ensure water flows properly through the city's drainage system to accelerate receding water levels.
Officials are also closely monitoring water levels in several rivers that run through densely populated areas of the capital.
West Jakarta was among the hardest-hit areas, with 33 residential neighborhoods flooded. In communities near the Angke River, four neighborhoods were submerged with water levels reaching about 80 centimeters.
In Rawa Buaya, flooding affected nine neighborhoods, with water levels ranging between 60 centimeters and 1.2 meters.
Flooding also spread widely in South Jakarta, where 55 residential areas were affected. The most severe impact occurred in Petogogan, where 39 neighborhoods were inundated with water levels reaching about 70 centimeters due to overflowing Krukut and Nipah rivers.
In Cipulir, high rainfall and the overflow of the Pesanggrahan River flooded one residential area with water levels around 50 centimeters.
Meanwhile, in Pela Mampang, the Mampang River overflowed and flooded a neighborhood with water levels reaching 1.3 meters.
Eastern Jakarta also impacted
Flooding also spread across East Jakarta, affecting 60 residential areas, particularly neighborhoods located near rivers.
In Pondok Bambu, floodwaters of around 70 centimeters were reported after the Sunter River overflowed.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Ciliwung River inundated 13 neighborhoods in Bidara Cina, Cililitan, and Cawang.
One of the most severely affected areas was Kampung Melayu, where 16 neighborhoods were submerged with water levels ranging from 80 centimeters to 1.25 meters.
Kampung Melayu is among the areas most frequently affected by flooding in Jakarta, with incidents occurring almost every year and sometimes multiple times annually.
The Jakarta provincial government has launched a long-term river normalization program aimed at increasing river capacity and reducing flood risks.
The project also includes relocating residents living along riverbanks to safer housing areas.
Authorities say the program will take several years to complete as part of broader efforts to mitigate recurring flooding in the capital.