Sixteen Dead & Thousands Caught In Indonesia Flooding

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Severe flooding in Indonesia’s capital as residents celebrated the new year has killed at least 16 people, displaced tens of thousands and forced an airport to close. Video and photos showed cars floating in muddy waters while soldiers and rescuers in boats helped children and elders forced onto the roofs of flooded homes. As much as 14.5 inches of rain fell on New Year’s Eve, causing two rivers to overflow. Floodwaters reached 8 feet in places. The city of 10 million people is prone to flooding and is rapidly sinking due to groundwater extraction. The president announced in August the national capital would be moved from Jakarta.