video transcript

Stranded office workers are pulled to safety in the Indonesian capital. Severe flooding has crippled parts of Jakarta, as seasonal rains bring some of the heaviest downpours for five years. An estimated 12 inches (100 mm) of rain fell overnight on Wednesday (January 16), turning roads into fast-flowing rivers. With traffic paralysed in the city centre, many locals were left stranded. While some schoolchildren braved the deluge, a number of government offices and businesses were forced shut as staff struggled to get to work. Public transport was also brought to a standstill. Local media say thousands of people in and around Jakarta have been forced to leave their homes due to the heavy rain. Forecasters warn that the wet weather could become more severe over the next few days.