Torrential rains in Jakarta has left over 190,000 people homeless following massive floods in the Indonesian capital. Authorities report that at least 9 people have been killed in the floods, which occurred following three days of continuous rains leading to rivers swelling over their banks into the city.

One of the worst disasters in since the turn of the century, the city is now at its highest alert level. There has been no sign of respite from the rains with meteorologists forecasting that the rains will continue for another week at least. Officials fear yet more floods as the hilly regions in the south are experiencing heavy rains.

Heavy downpour has led to power cuts across the city and the citizens are stranded without any sign of communication or drinking water. Medical teams are using boats to reach those who are stranded deep in the waters and officials have called for over 7,000 extra police personnel to help the rescue teams.

Meanwhile the floods have cut of the transport routes with several main roads being flooded. Government authorities have shifted the blame to poor urban planning added that the rescue teams are finding it difficult to go about their jobs due to stagnant water.

A 48-year old resident of the city summed up the present conditions to the AFP news agency saying, "I could stay on the second floor of [my] house, but there is no food, no electricity, no clean water, and the toilets cannot flush."