Thirteen Indonesian provinces experienced flooding the past week due to torrential rains. The disaster has claimed the lives of 14 people while three others are still missing. The floods hit several districts in West Nusa Tenggara, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo and Sulawesi provinces. More than 50,000 people have to be evacuated.

Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, is under up to two meters of water. Forty percent of the city is under the surface of sea water. Bali, a popular tourist destination, is also flooded.

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Java Jive writes about the flooding in Jakarta:

“While December was quite sunny and pleasant, the New Year has brought angry torrential downpours, massive cracks of frequent lightening, and of course, annual flooding.

“As I write this post, I’m overlooking a wide canal fully loaded with rainwater and debris. The sky is clouding up, and opening like a wound, while menacing storms are once again forecast for the remainder of this week. One solid night of rain and we won’t be able to get out of Kelapa Gading since the road that leads to the toll is amongst the lowest and quickest to flood.

“Am I nervous? Not at all.

“But I am nervous for those families who cannot get out. For those with small children who cannot get clean drinking water or medical attention. For those who have risked (or not trusted) not having insurance on their homes, businesses, and cars. And for those who may lose everything yet again.”

Mywebsiteku expects flooding to continue until next month:

“Peak of the rainy season is in progress at this time is estimated to occur in February 2009. This is a potential trigger the occurrence of disasters such as soil movement (landslides), flood, wind and waterspout. This is seen from the growth of cloud in Jakarta and surrounding areas of improvement so that the intensity of rainfall affect. therefore need to alert the public on the weather conditions at this time.”

Via Twitter, reports about the flooding:

irwanlee: The sky is gloomy, the Dengue Fever and Flood are back in town.

lusy_sunsetgirl: Both the government & the people are causing the yearly flood in the capital,in my honest opinion.

nanashambles: Rain sucks. Flood everywhere. Chaotic station

storymasterq: The cold front continues. Jakarta's Great Flood usually comes every 5 years to the day, but the next one isn't due until 2012. Apocalypse?

Flooding is frequent in Indonesia. Riau posts pictures taken in Kampar, Indonesia which was flooded a few weeks ago:

Photos from Riau Daily Photo