19 Dead, Thousands Displaced in Flooding in Jakarta and Bengkulu

Torrential rains have resulted in flooding and landslides in Jakarta and in Bengkulu on Sumatra Island, claiming the lives of 19 people and displacing more than 14,000, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, or BNPB.

Nine districts in Bengkulu – Bengkulu city, Central Bengkulu, North Bengkulu, Kepahiang, Rejang Lebong, Lebong, Seluma, South Bengkulu and Kaur – have been affected by flooding and landslides, BNPB spokesman Sutopo Nugroho said on Sunday.

"As of 7 p.m. on April 28, we have received reports of 17 people who have died, while nine are missing, two seriously injured and another two have sustained minor injuries," he said. He added that at least 12,000 people have been displaced in Bengkulu, which saw heavy rains on Friday and Saturday.

At least 184 homes, four schools and various infrastructure were damaged. Water had reportedly receded in several parts of Bengkulu by Sunday afternoon.

Rescue workers from various institutions, including the police and military, have been deployed to the affected areas.

Heavy rains have also been recorded in Jakarta and surrounding areas, including Bogor in West Java, since Friday, causing flooding in the capital after the Ciliwung River bust its banks. The Ciliwung River flows through Bogor to Jakarta.

Two people have died and more than 2,200 have been displaced, mainly in South and East Jakarta, Sutopo said on Saturday.