THE disastrous floods that inundated the entire metropolitan city of Jakarta recently were more severe than the worst floods five years ago. One week of constant rain and 60 percent of Jakartas 661.3 square kilometers went under water. In 2002, only 50 percent of the area was submerged.

The Geophysics & Meteorology Agency estimates the heavy precipitation has now moved beyond the capital city. Even so, the threat of flooding remains. The water abs