JAKARTA, Indonesia — Torrential rains caused flooding that paralyzed much of the ­Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least four people and forcing the evacuations of tens of thousands of others.

Parts of the capital were under at least 6 feet of water, and even the presidential palace was flooded. In the central business district, water levels rose to at least 18 inches. Cars, buses, and motorcycles were stranded in the streets, and soldiers in rubber boats rescued people trapped in their homes.