Floods Kill 26 in Indonesia’s Capital
Police say floods in Indonesia’s capital have killed at least 26 people and sent more than 100,000 fleeing their homes.
Jakarta police spokesman Col. Rikwanto said Monday that most of the victims were electrocuted or drowned in floodwaters reaching up to 6.5 feet high in some places. About 103,000 people are living in temporary shelters.
The floods reached their peak Thursday after a dike in central Jakarta collapsed. They engulfed around 30 percent of the city of 14 million, including its business district center and the presidential palace.
Successive governments have done little to mitigate the flood threat. Indonesian industry minister M.S. Hidayat said the recent flooding may lead foreign investors to flee to neighboring countries.
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