Each year around this time the rains come to West Java, soaking and submerging swathes of Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. I have been caught in may local floods, up to my knees on the sidewalk, or locked in traffic jams (macet total!), watching the filth flow by. Judging from this Jakarta Post image, things haven't changed much.

JAKARTA UNDERWATER: An aerial View shows a vast flooded area in Cipulir and Ulujami subdistricts, South Jakarta. Heavy rains from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon have caused flooding in Jakarta due to poor drainage system and lack of flood control facilities. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)