Indonesia braces for high tides

Capital of Indonesia is preparing sandbags on the coast of protection against floods ahead of abnormally high tides which should hit the city early next week, officials. "There will be several areas that could be affected by extreme tides, especially in the north of Jakarta, because some dams are below maximum altitude," said Wishnu Subagio, the head of Jakarta's public works office. He said sandbags were being prepared in vulnerable areas, and tides were likely to begin today and Wednesday peak. An official of the World Bank said in Jakarta this week, it could be 1.2-metre tide rise on Wednesday, although Nugroho Ponco Jakarta meteorology agency said it was perhaps not so high. Flooding has often cut a road leading to Jakarta international airport and an official toll road company PT Jasa Marga said it was taking precautions. "If the water flooding the road toll we will be ready with pumps and sandbags immediately," said Okke Merlina, a Secretary General to Jasa Marga, who added that the company was also the construction of a barrier to prevent future floods. Indonesia capital of approximately 10 million is often flooded in rainy season and it may also be flooded by high tides in areas near the coast and in low-lying countries districts.