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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian capital Jakarta is in a state of alert anticipating a high tide that will likely hit the city next week, causing floods in parts of the city, officials said on Friday.

"We are aware of the situation and have built up higher retaining walls and put sand bags in areas that will likely be hit by the tidal wave," said Wisnu Subagio head of Jakarta's office of public works.

He said that most likely north Jakarta and the highway to the airport would be affected. Last year November waters reached roof-high levels in the hardest-hit areas.

World Bank infrastructure expert Hongjoo Hahm warned Thursday that an exceptionally high tide could hit the Indonesian capital next week on Tuesday and Wednesday. The extreme tide is caused by an 18-year semiannual tide cycle.

"This is just the beginning," Hahm told DPA.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation has been hit by a string of floods in recent years. The country's capital Jakarta has also seen floods from seasonal rain or tidal waves that have killed dozens and had closed the country's international airport several times.

Rising sea waters especially pose a threat to coastal cities like Jakarta, which is sinking up to 6 centimetres a year.

The 18-year high tide cycles occur when the sun and moon are in direct alignment and making their closest approach to the Earth.

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