2007 Jakarta flood
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Jakarta flood was a major flood in Jakarta
, the capital of Indonesia
and affected several other areas around the city, such as West Java
and Banten
. The flood, beginning on February 2, 2007 was a result of heavy rain, deforestation
in areas south of the city, and waterways clogged with debris. The flood is considered the worst in the last three centuries, including the 1996 and 2002 Jakarta floods, which killed 10 and 25 people respectively.
Although the death toll is still not finalised, the last update reported it to have reached 54, and this was confirmed by the health ministry.
and 329 due to dengue fever
. The flood has caused Rp 8 trillion (US$879.12 million) in losses. A total of approximately 190,000 people have fallen ill due to flood-related illnesses. The nature of the flood in which it extends from riverbanks to surrounding areas has caused the lower-class communities, many of which live on the riverbanks themselves in wooden houses, to take the strongest impact of the flood.
As of March 7, another 5 metric tons had arrived in Jakarta ready for distribution. The total aid cost is expected to be $239,556 to benefit over 55,000 persons. So far, 10% has been committed by organisations such as McDonald's
, Heart to Heart International
and IOM
.
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, the capital of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and affected several other areas around the city, such as West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
and Banten
Banten
Banten is a province of Indonesia in Java. Formerly part of the Province of West Java, it was made a separate province in 2000.The administrative center is Serang. Preliminary results from the 2010 census counted some 10.6 million people.-Geography:...
. The flood, beginning on February 2, 2007 was a result of heavy rain, deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
in areas south of the city, and waterways clogged with debris. The flood is considered the worst in the last three centuries, including the 1996 and 2002 Jakarta floods, which killed 10 and 25 people respectively.
Although the death toll is still not finalised, the last update reported it to have reached 54, and this was confirmed by the health ministry.
Meteorological
The most significant reason of the disaster is the high rate of rain, since the rainy season in Indonesia starts in December and ends in March. In 2007, the rain intensity reached its peak in February, with the greatest intensity towards the end of the month.Geographical
The combination of the increased loss of vegetation in the upper catchments of rivers that flow into the Jakarta region, and the lack of adequate flood prevention being constructed by either the national or city governments - has created a situation where floods created by heavy rainfall cannot be adequately diverted away from the Jakarta area. Eventually, water flowing into Jakarta overflows some of the city's flood control systems and causes devastation in these areas.Impact
The flood affected 80 separate regions in and around Jakarta, and over 70,000 homes were flooded, resulting in the displacement of some 200,000 people, of which 5,729 are still to return by March 11th. Although the highest officially confirmed death toll is 54,, there are reports that it is as high as 68. There was a high level of illness, with 1,066 patients treated by hospitals due to diarrheaDiarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
and 329 due to dengue fever
Dengue fever
Dengue fever , also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles...
. The flood has caused Rp 8 trillion (US$879.12 million) in losses. A total of approximately 190,000 people have fallen ill due to flood-related illnesses. The nature of the flood in which it extends from riverbanks to surrounding areas has caused the lower-class communities, many of which live on the riverbanks themselves in wooden houses, to take the strongest impact of the flood.
Aid
HOPE worldwide has already distributed 5 metric ton (11,000 lbs) of food, water, medicines, clean up kits to 10,000 people.As of March 7, another 5 metric tons had arrived in Jakarta ready for distribution. The total aid cost is expected to be $239,556 to benefit over 55,000 persons. So far, 10% has been committed by organisations such as McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International is a global humanitarian organization that works to improve health and to respond to the needs of disaster victims worldwide.-History of Heart to Heart:...
and IOM
IOM
IOM may refer to:* Institute of Medicine, a not-for-profit, non-governmental American organization founded in 1970* Institute of Occupational Medicine in the UK* International Organization for Migration, an intergovernmental organization...
.