There are nights when the sky seems to carry the weight of an ocean unseen — and tonight in Jakarta, that heaviness has found its way into the streets and alleys, whispering tales of resilience and still waters that refuse to recede.

In the soft glow of streetlamps, reflections dance on puddles stretching across 46 Rukun Tetangga (RT) and 13 stretches of road, as recorded by the regional disaster agency this Thursday evening. The city, shaped by water channels and human endeavor alike, now sees familiar paths transfigured into silent mirrors, where footsteps falter and engines hum an uncertain tune.

Here and there, waters linger — not deep like tumultuous seas, but enough to remind the city of its porous edge. In Jakarta Barat, the rippling sheen covers much of the land, ranging from gentle ankle-high glimmers to places where feet might readily be lost in half-meter currents. Similar scenes unfold in Jakarta Timur and Selatan, as rain’s inheritance flows down from skies and swollen rivers alike.

The lull of water becomes part of the evening symphony, where conversations between neighbors ripple over small fences, where rescuers in reflective vests give cautious nods, and where children watch from raised steps as gentle waves trace their presence across once-solid paths.

Amid the hush, the Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) maintains a quiet vigil. Teams move from district to district, coordinating with water authorities and public works departments to drain what has pooled and to ensure channels fulfill their design. Delicate efforts unfold under the lamplight — hoses hum, pumps breathe, and the collective pulse of the city works to reverse what nature has imparted.

Throughout the evening, residents remain watchful, embracing caution and community ties, aware that water reflects not just lights, but the fragile balance between nature and daily life in this vast urban sprawl.

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Sources detikNews MINA News VOI Indonesia CNN Indonesia Liputan6.com