Flood Journal Entry
Deadly Floods Swamp Java (January 10, 2008)
Areas in dark red got over 10 inches of rain from recent storms in Indonesia. Areas in bright red got at least eight inches. NASA Earth Observatory.
Deadly floods and landslides killed at least 112 people in the central and eastern parts of Java, Indonesia's most heavily populated island. About 60,000 people were forced to flee their homes to find higher ground.
Several major rivers overflowed their banks, including the Bengawan Solo River. The big river flows through the city of Solo, a popular tourist attraction, and Surabeya, Indonesia's second-largest city.
The floods swamped roads, rail lines, and farmland. They also triggered several landslides. Disaster officials were working hard to bring food, water, and emergency supplies to people in villages cut off by the floods. Many people were stranded on the roofs of their houses waiting to be rescued.
Floods and landslides are common in Indonesia's rainy season. Environmentalists say the situation's become much worse in recent years due to widespread logging. Deforestation speeds up erosion and increases flood danger. Trees soak up moisture and help hold the soil together.
This year's floods are worse than usual due to an ongoing La Niña, a climate pattern marked by cooler than normal ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean along the equator. La Niña creates stronger than usual easterly trade winds that favor storm formation around Indonesia.
