We ask the public to remain vigilant because this condition is estimated by the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) to occur until January 3, 2023, so we must be on full alert every day.
Semarang, C Java (ANTARA) - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo urged people on Saturday to stay alert to the potential of bad weather that is forecast to last until early 2023, as floods have hit some regions in the province.

Pranowo noted that the regions affected by the disaster included Semarang City, Pekalongan City, Pemalang District, and Pati District.

"We ask the public to remain vigilant because this condition is estimated by the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) to occur until January 3, 2023, so we must be on full alert every day,” he remarked.

The governor has also appealed to the Central Java Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and volunteers to ready logistics, rescue equipment, and evacuation points in the event of an emergency situation.

"In Semarang City, as of 8 a.m. local time, the water level was still as high as the sidewalk. I have reviewed the situation there, and it was starting to recede. Hopefully, when the intensity of the rain subsides, it (the road) can be cleaned right away (from the flooding materials)," he stated.

The flooding occurred due to heavy rains in the region that fell since Friday evening.

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Pranowo had visited several locations affected by the disaster in Semarang City, such as the Simpang Lima area, Gajah Raya Street, Tlogosari, as well as the water pump centers in Sawah Besar and Waru.

Officers at both the water pump centers notified Pranowo that all machines functioned properly.

However, officers at the Waru Water Pump Center said they had to stop operating the pumps in the center, as the water discharge had exceeded the capacity of the machines.

Thus, the governor urged the personnel of the pump center to be on standby and be ready to operate the machines if the water level started to recede.

The height of floodwaters in the affected areas in Semarang City, including Tlogosari Sub-district, Kaligawe Village, Mangkang Village, Ngaliyan Sub-district, and Tugu Sub-district, reached around 50 centimeters to over one meter.

In addition to the residential areas, flooding also inundated the roads, causing traffic jams at several locations.

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Translator: Wisnu Nugroho, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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