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Indonesia

Indonesia: Rains eat away at Jakarta roads

Heavy rainfall during the past few days have inflicted more damage to already eroded Jakarta roads, a city official said Friday.

"Around 30 percent of the city roads have been damaged. The recent torrential rains have quickened the rate of deterioration," said Hasnil Hasan Basri, head of road maintenance at the Jakarta Public Works Agency, as quoted by kompas.com.

Hasan said that with more rains predicted, thorough repairs plans would be difficult. The agency keeps track of 7,650 kilometers of road surface.

Separately, agency head Budi Widiantoro said poor construction had not caused the damage.

"The asphalt was the best quality we could get. Every road in Jakarta gets the same treatment. But asphalt can't stand up to excessive water. If the road is under water, there will be holes for sure." (dre)