Watch part two

Jakarta has been a seaside city for more than 500 years, spread over low-lying plains and criss-crossed by 13 rivers.

But while Jakartans accept that flooding will happen from time to time, these days it happens even when it does not rain.

Centuries ago, early Dutch settlers developed a complex system of flood channels to protect the city.

Now Dutch engineers are back to help out. They say that many of Jakarta's flood channels are clogged with rubbish dumped by local residents. And for a quarter of a century there has not been enough dredging.
 
Add deforestation and the development of expensive holiday villas for affluent Jakartans and the result is that when the heavy rains come the water simply has nowhere to go.

Now the city is sinking by 4cm to 6cm a year while excavation for huge shopping malls and apartment blocks is severely compromising the very foundations of the city, leaving Jakarta in jeopardy.

This episode of 101 East aired from Thursday, November 27, 2008.