Floods recede across Jakarta

JAKARTA – Deadly floods that swamped the Indonesian capital over the last week began receding yesterday, allowing many residents to return to their soaked, debris-strewn homes and start a daunting cleanup operation.

Much of the city, however, remained inundated and officials warned that more rain could trigger fresh flooding. Residents surveyed the damage left by the polluted water and some mopped out houses and businesses.Police in downtown Jakarta scooped thick mud from roads and pumped flooded intersections dry.”The water is all gone, but the smell is awful,” Fifa, an 18-year-old woman, said as she removed bits of wood and other rubbish from her house in downtown Jakarta under bright, sunny skies.”But at least we can get back to normal now,” said Fifa, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name.Nampa-APResidents surveyed the damage left by the polluted water and some mopped out houses and businesses.Police in downtown Jakarta scooped thick mud from roads and pumped flooded intersections dry.”The water is all gone, but the smell is awful,” Fifa, an 18-year-old woman, said as she removed bits of wood and other rubbish from her house in downtown Jakarta under bright, sunny skies.”But at least we can get back to normal now,” said Fifa, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name.Nampa-AP