Thousands of Houses in Grobogan Submerged in Floods

Floods in Grobogan, Central Java, submerged thousands of houses in 12 sub-districts. The flood occurred due to the overflow of three rivers.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Ribuan Rumah di Grobogan Terendam Banjir

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Vehicles belonging to residents who are passing through the flooded Jalan Semarang-Grobogan access road in Gubug Sub-district, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (6/2/2024). The flood came from the overflow of the Tuntang River that occurred since early morning, causing the road to be cut off, the river embankment to collapse, and inundating residential areas and public facilities. Until now, some traffic has been redirected to several alternative routes.

GROBOGAN, KOMPAS - Heavy rain which occurred on Monday (5/2/2024) night until Tuesday (6/2/2024) morning caused at least 2,662 residential units in 12 districts in Grobogan, Central Java, to be inundated. A number of train services were also temporarily disrupted due to the flooding that submerged the tracks.

The Jateng Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency reports that floods have submerged 34 villages in 12 districts in Grobogan. The affected districts are Godong, Tawangharjo, Geyer, Tegowanu, Penawangan, Purwodadi, Toroh, Karangrayung, Kedungjati, Tanggungharjo, Grobogan, and Gubug.

As a result, approximately 2,662 houses, 6 educational facilities, 1 place of worship, and 1 livestock pen were submerged in water. Agricultural land with an area of approximately 56 hectares was also not spared from the flooding. The height of the flood varied, ranging from 10 centimeters (cm) to 100 cm.

Also read: One ​​Day, Heavy Rain Triggers Dozens of Disasters in Central Java

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

One of the biggest floods in the past five years has inundated houses in Gubug District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (6/2/2024). The flood from the overflow of Tuntang River, which occurred since early morning, caused road access to be cut off, the river embankment to break, and inundated residential areas and public facilities. Until now, part of the traffic flow has been diverted to several alternative routes.

In addition to inundating residential areas and agricultural land, floods have also caused damage to several infrastructures. The damage affected river embankments and concrete revetments on several roads. Accessibility on several road sections was also interrupted due to the floods, including Jalan Raya Gubug-Purwodadi.

Acting Governor of Central Java, Nana Sudjana, stated that the flooding in Grobogan was triggered by high-intensity rainfall in the area. The rain caused the water volume in three river watersheds - namely, Lusi River, Serang River, and Tuntang River - located in Grobogan to overflow.

"We continue to coordinate with the Grobogan Regency Government to ensure the situation on the ground. Evacuation of affected communities, preparation of public kitchens, and the distribution of necessary logistics are also being carried out by us," said Nana in Semarang, on Tuesday (6/2/2024).

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Residents cross a bridge during the overflowing of Tuntang River in Gubug Village, Gubug District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java on Tuesday (6/2/2024). The flood from the overflowing Tuntang River since early morning caused road access to be cut off, the river embankment to break, and inundate residential areas and public facilities. As a result of the flood, some traffic was diverted to alternative routes.

When contacted separately, Head of the Grobogan BPBD, Endang Sulistyoningsih, stated that on Tuesday, the flooding in several locations had relatively receded. Out of a total of 34 villages that were submerged, 23 villages have already receded. However, there are still floods in as many as 11 villages on Tuesday afternoon.

"Water puddles are still present in the villages of Jipang, Pengkol, Sedadi, Jono, Selo, Ngraji, and Candisari. Additionally, puddles in Cingkrong, Kalongan, Purwodadi, and Asemrudung have also not subsided. The water level ranges from 10 cm to 50 cm," said Endang.

Dozens of infrastructure personnel, supported by heavy equipment, railway maintenance vehicles, and materials, were deployed to the location to handle the flood. On Tuesday afternoon, the personnel successfully repaired one of the routes, namely the downstream route at the flooded site.

Until Tuesday evening, according to Endang, the Grobogan BPBD is still handling the victims affected by floods in several villages. The distribution of aid in the form of food, drinks, and medication is also continuously being carried out.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A house that was flooded up to 60-100 centimeters in depth in Gubug Village, Gubug Subdistrict, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (6/2/2024). The flood, caused by the overflowing of the Tuntang River since early morning, has resulted in blocked access roads, the breach of river embankments, and the flooding of residential areas and public facilities. As of now, some traffic has been diverted to several alternative routes.

In addition to residential areas and agricultural land, floods were also reported to have submerged the railway line between Gubug Station and Karangjati Station at Kilometer 32+5/7 on the Semarang-Surabaya route. According to the records of PT Kereta Api Indonesia Daop 4 Semarang, five train trips were disrupted.

"We are engineering the operation pattern by running in a circular manner for three train trips, namely on the 185 Blambangan express train, the 227 Blora Jaya train, and the 231 Blora Jaya train. Meanwhile, two train trips were cancelled, namely the 546 Kedungsepur train and the 230 Ambarawa Express train," said Public Relations Officer of KAI Daop 4 Semarang, Franoto Wibowo.

Franoto stated that passengers who want to cancel their trip will be facilitated and their ticket payments will be refunded 100% excluding surcharges. Meanwhile, passengers who are late due to their train journey being rerouted will be compensated with drinks, snacks, and heavy meals.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

The road embankment collapsed and was damaged after the Tuntang River overflowed and caused flooding in Gubug Village, Gubug District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (6/2/2024). The flood from the Tuntang River overflow that occurred since early morning caused road access to be cut off, the river embankment to break, and inundation of residential areas and public facilities. Until now, traffic flow has been diverted to several alternative routes.

Also read: Floods cut off Semarang-Blora access

Dozens of infrastructure personnel, supported by heavy equipment, railway maintenance vehicles, and materials, were deployed to the location to handle the flood. On Tuesday afternoon, the personnel successfully repaired one of the routes, namely the downstream route at the flooded site.

"The train can pass through the location at limited speed. The first train to pass through the track safely and under control is the Sembrani Train with the route Surabaya-Jakarta at 12:15 and the Argo Anggrek Train with the route Surabaya-Jakarta Gambir at 12:55," said Franoto.

According to Franoto, improvements along the downstream route are continually being made so that it can be passed through at a normal speed. Meanwhile, improvements along the upstream route are also still underway. On Tuesday afternoon, it is targeted that the upstream route can be passed by the train.