Floods Hit Semarang; Dozens of Motorbikes Break Down

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Floods have wreaked havoc in a number of areas in Semarang City, Central Java, since Tuesday evening, November 14, including Jalan Kaligawe in the Gayamsari District. The floodwater has risen up to 50 centimeters in the area, causing breakdowns of dozens of two-wheeled vehicles.

“I was going to college, but when I got here, my motorbike broke down,” said a resident named Mirza. 

The submerged road also has a railway crossing, which causes a traffic jam as cars and motorbikes have to stop when a train passes by. Dozens of motorcycles broke down in the flood while waiting for the train to pass.

The flood also affected Jalan Muktiharjo Raya, which intersects with Jalan Kaligawe, and several village roads nearby. It is situated on the side of the railway line as well. 

Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu attributed the flooding to the two broken water pump houses in Kali Tenggang and Kali Sringin. 

“I have checked the Kali Tenggang, only three out of six pumps are working, and they are not functioning optimally. The other three pumps are still under repair,” Rahayu said in a written statement. 

In addition, Mayor Rahayu also claimed that only one water pump was working in the Kali Sringin, while the other four pumps were in trouble, which led to the flooding.

JAMAL ABDUN NASHR 

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