Sustained downpours in Jakarta and in outlying valleys for the past few days have flooded neighbourhoods in parts of the Indonesian capita, Jakarta, on Saturday (January 18) forcing residents to flee their homes.

The high intensity of rainfall in Bogor, west Java, causing floods in several areas of Jakarta and its outskirts.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said that the continuous rainfall in Jakarta and surrounding areas has raised the water levels of several rivers.

The agency also said that this year's flooding in Jakarta had so far claimed four lives and temporarily displaced more than 5,000 people.

In Bekasi district on the outskirts of Jakarta a hospital was among the buildings flooded out.

Floods and landslides are common in Indonesia when the rains come due to lack of awareness of the environment, water governance, and drainage facilities.