Floods recede across Indonesian capital

Deadly floods that have swamped the Indonesian capital Jakarta since last week began receding today, enabling emergency workers and evacuees to reach previously inaccessible areas and start a daunting cleanup operation.

At the same time, much of the city remained covered by filthy water and officials warned that more rain could trigger fresh flooding.

Residents surveyed the damage left by filthy, torrential waters and some mopped out houses and businesses.

Evacuees and emergency workers started clearing up the mess after several days of rainfall inundated homes and streets last Thursday.

The death toll from the floods – which at their peak forced some 340,000 people from their homes – rose to at least 50, the Health Ministry said.

Most of the fatalities were due to drowning or electrocution.

Foreign countries donated money and aid agencies distributed badly needed soap, towels and hygiene kits in the capital, even as the Indonesian government said it would not issue a formal request for international assistance.