Semarang Floods, Walkot Mbak Ita Talks Not Optimal Pump House

Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu inspected the floods in Semarang, Tuesday (28/11/2023). (ANTARA/Zuhdiar Laiis)

SEMARANG - A number of areas in Genuk and Pedurungan sub-districts, Semarang City, Central Java, were flooded with varying heights after heavy rains on Monday (27/11) night.

A number of areas that were flooded included Ngablak Raya Street, Muktiharjo Raya Street, Kaligawe Street, Padi Raya Street, and Gebang Anom Street.

Some locations in Tlogosari Housing were also flooded, such as Jalan Parangsarpo Raya with a height of between 40-50 centimeters and Jalan Sidoasih Raya with a height of 30-40 cm.

Some roads that were flooded were seen deserted because they could not be passed by motorized vehicles, but still some were desperate to pass.

A number of vehicles, both motorbikes and cars, broke down due to not being strong enough to hit floodwaters, such as on Jalan Muktiharjo Raya.

Head of the Semarang City BPBD Disaster Emergency Section, Adhi Yulianto, when confirmed via text message, said that the flood was due to heavy rain since Monday (27/11) night.

"On Monday, November 27, 2023, at 20.00 WIB, heavy rain occurred in Semarang City, resulting in the impact of inundation," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 28.

The Semarang City BPBD noted that at least seven locations in Semarang were still flooded due to heavy rains that occurred Monday (27/11) night.

The highest flood inundation was on Jalan Kaligawe until it reached 70 cm.

Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu together with regional apparatus organizations (OPD) conducted a visit to a number of flood locations.

"Yes, this is an area (flood) that we have closed many times with BBWS (Large Bank of the River Region). The estuaries are Kali Tenggang and Kali Sringin," said Ita, Hevearita's nickname.

According to him, the flood was caused by the Tenggang and Sringin River Pump Houses whose pumps did not run optimally.

"I monitored the Tenggang River which was running three pumps, the others were damaged. In the Sringin River which was running, initially two pumps. We are assisted by a portable pump from BBWS and one sent from BPBD," he said.