Heavy flooding hits Jakarta, killing 5

• Tweet

JAKARTA, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Heavy flooding hit Jakarta, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and killing five, officials said.

The Jakarta Post said the causes of the deaths are varied. Two individuals were electrocuted, one was swept away in a flood, an 82-year-old died of age-related complications and a 2-year-old died after he fell from his bed.

Witnesses said parts of the capital were under 6 feet of water Thursday, with some areas seeing water levels rise to 18 inches.

The New York Times said residents took refuge on the second floor of their homes, a highway overpass and mosques while others rode in rafts on the water.

The Jakarta Post said 9,374 people had been evacuated as of Wednesday afternoon, and the flooding has affected 64,336 people.

The Indonesian Meteorological Agency said heavy rains are expected in the Jakarta region for the next three days.

A state of emergency is in effect until Jan. 27.