Jakarta (VNA) – HalimPerdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta of Indonesia was closed on January 1, as itsrunway got flooded after unremitting rains lashed the capital city on the lasttwo days.

A representative of the airport NandangSukarna said the runway would be flooded if torrential downpours reoccur, eventhough airport staff have tried to pump the water out.

All flight activities were diverted to theSoekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, west of Jakarta. Thepassengers received food and beverages as compensation from the airlines, headded.

The airport notified the delay of severalflights following the runway closure, including the first flight of theday. 

Heavy monsoon rain in the Indonesiancapital and nearby cities since December 31 triggered likely the worst floodingin almost seven years.

Manggarai floodgate in Central Jakarta hasforced its status into Alert II since the water level increased to 854 cm highon January 1.

Based on the regional disaster mitigationagency (BPBD), the water level at Jembatan Merah floodgate, Ciliwung, wasincreased to Alert I.

The rain also increased water level atother floodgates, including Pesanggarahan with 181 cm, Kali Duri with 246 cmhigh and Hek floodgate with 180 cm./.