JAKARTA: Heavy rainfall in Bogor, West Java, over the weekend has raised the water level at the Katulampa sluice gate to an alarming level, raising concerns of possible floods in Jakarta.

The Bogor Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD Bogor) reported yesterday that the water level had rapidly increased from 70cm at 3am to 240cm at 9am.

The BPBD Bogor has escalated the water level emergency status and warned the BPBD Jakarta of possible flooding in the capital in the afternoon.

The Bogor agency urged its Jakarta counterpart to warn people residing in Ciliwung riverbank areas to prepare for the potential floods.

“Water will flow to the Manggarai gate while passing Srengseng Sawah, Rawajati, Kalibata, Pengadegan, Pejaten Timur, Kebon Baru, Bukit Duri, Bealekambang, Cililitan, Cawang, Bidara Cina and Kampung Melayu,” the agency said in a statement yesterday.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the water was likely to inundate several parts of Jakarta. — The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network