I hope that tomorrow (on Wednesday), at the latest, it will have been dried up.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry is striving to increase the capacity of water pumps and gates at various pump centers in Semarang, Central Java, to mitigate impacts of flooding in the area.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono noted in a statement on Tuesday that the floods were not only caused by coastal flooding but also by heavy rainfall that continued to lash since December 31, 2022.

"Currently, we are handling flooding that came from the upstream (of the river), with pump capacity of 10 cubic meters (m3)/second at the Sringin Pump Center as well as of 12 m3/second at the Tenggang Pump Center, while the water discharge was up to 65 m3/second,” he stated.

Hence, the capacity of the pumps is inadequate, he stated.

Thus, as a short-term solution, the ministry placed several pumps from various regional River Basin Center (BBWS) on Tuesday to channel floodwaters into the sea.

"Today, I brought other additional pumps (with capacity) of about 3.5 m3/second (each), including from Solo (Bengawan Solo BBWS), Yogya (Serayu Opak BBWS), Cirebon (Cimanuk-Cisanggarung BBWS), and even from Jakarta (Ciliwung Cisadane BBWS),” the minister remarked.

The additional pumps are expected to expedite flood mitigation efforts in Kaligawe Village and on the northern coastal road of Semarang City.

“I hope that tomorrow (on Wednesday), at the latest, it will have been dried up," Hadimuljono stated.

Furthermore, as a long-term solution, the minister said his side would increase the number of sluice gates at the Tenggang Pump Center and Sringin Pump Center.

"We have ordered the (number of) gates (to be increased), and (they) will be installed," he noted.

The gates will be operated according to the sea tides. When the tides are high, the gates will be closed to prevent the water from flooding the coastal area. Meanwhile, the gates will be opened when the tides are low, so the water can flow from the upstream of the river to the sea.

Flood mitigation in Semarang City is conducted by using the polder system that covers the West Semarang, Central Semarang, and East Semarang areas to tackle coastal floodings.

"Currently, coastal flooding has started to be mitigated, especially when the seawall at Section 1 of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road is completed," the minister added.

To prevent flooding at section 1 of the toll road, the PUPR Ministry will also construct the Terboyo Retention Pond, with an area of around 189 hectares; Sriwulan retention ponds, about 28 hectares; Terboyo Pump Center; and Sriwulan Pump Center.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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