Jakarta is worried about the plague because of the flood

(BBC photo) An official said: 'We are afraid that cholera and dysentery can erupt, as well as other diseases spread by rats.' More than 300,000 people are believed to have left their homes because of the worst flood in a few years in Jakarta, caused by heavy rains.

While floods are thought to have decreased in some places, weather forecasts show that heavy rains will continue. This flood affected most of the city of 9 million people. It is estimated that between 40% and 75% of the city area is flooded. The spokesman for Jakarta police, Ketut Yoga Ana, said that in addition to people being swept away or drowned, many people still died from electric shock.

Dr. Rustam Pakaya, from the Ministry of Health's crisis handling center, said the side effect of flooding is plague . He warned: 'People have to be careful, don't drink dirty water '.

Many days of heavy rains broke the banks of the rivers, bringing water and mud up to 3m in some residential areas and business establishments.

Staff handling an important manhole in the east of Jakarta's capital said the sewer was broken, and the amount of water flowing in had caused the main canals to break.

Electricity and water in most areas of the city are still being cut. The main railways and roads are closed. The BBC's correspondent in Jakarta says hundreds of people are still on the second floor of their home, either trapped, or unwilling to move. Many people who have lost their homes are being displaced in schools and churches.

River water in Jakarta rushed out to the street. (Photo: AFP)

Medical groups are using rubber rafts to move to the most affected areas, while thousands more police are deployed to help evacuate efforts.

The BBC says the Indonesian government is currently being criticized because it should be possible to do more to prevent this flood. Meanwhile, officials said there is little prospect of improving the situation soon.

Jakarta city flooded from above. (Photo: AFP)