Semarang Flood Victims Outpouring: Five People Eat Two Rice Packages

In the past week, several areas in Semarang City, Central Java, have been inundated by floods. This disaster has hindered community activities, including economic activities. In fact, there is a family of flood victims who must survive by relying on two packages of rice provided by the government to be shared among five members.

Initially, flooding struck the city of Semarang on Tuesday (21/10/2025) night after heavy rain fell in the area for several hours. The disaster resulted in thousands of homes in the districts of Gayamsari, Genuk, and Pendurungan being inundated, including the homes of Muhammad Sodirin (52) and Roisah (49) in the Tambakrejo village, Gayamsari district.

After being submerged in water up to 50 centimeters for several days, on Monday (27/10/2025) evening, the flood receded to about 30 cm. Unfortunately, this condition did not last long. On Tuesday (28/10/2025) morning, heavy rain fell again. The water level inside his house rose once more, even worse than before, reaching approximately 80 cm.

The flooding that occurs inside the house or on the road leading to their village prevents Sodirin and Roisah from earning a living. Roisah, who sells rice around the village daily, has to take a break from selling due to the disaster.

"Because the streets are flooded, we cannot sell around. It is also difficult to buy supplies at the market because access is blocked, and the prices of raw materials are rising," said Roisah when met on Tuesday.

The flooding conditions have also left Roisah's husband, Sodirin, who works as a construction laborer, with very few job calls. As a result, for approximately a week, there has been almost no income for the couple.

Due to the lack of income, they are struggling to meet their family's daily needs. Both of them are forced to rely on packaged rice assistance from the government.

"We eat whatever we can, using the government-provided rice packets. A family of five is given two packets. Five people eat those two packets, so what can we do? That's all the aid we get," Roisah said.

In recent days, Roisah and her family have been staying in their home despite the water still pooling. However, on Tuesday night, they plan to evacuate to the nearest mosque. On Tuesday afternoon, Roisah and Sodirin worked together to elevate their household items to a higher place to feel more at ease when leaving their home.

Sodirin admitted that he was tired of the annual flooding that plagued his neighborhood, especially during the rainy season. He hoped the government would take immediate action to prevent residents from suffering from these disasters. "We know this happens every year, but why hasn't there been any reaction?" he said.

Not only the native residents of Semarang, but the flood has also disrupted the activities of migrants living in the city. For a week now, Arini Putri Nurjana (22), Siti Khoiruniza (20), and Dina Amalia (18), students residing in a boarding house in Tambakrejo Village, have had to sleep on a bed that is submerged in water.

"I have lived in Semarang for seven semesters, and every year I am always affected by floods. However, this time the flood is, in my opinion, the worst because the water has entered my room. The water level is about 10 cm. Usually, it only accumulates in front of the room," said Arini.

In the past week, the three of them have also been unable to attend classes on campus due to flooding that has submerged access to the campus. Classes at their university have been conducted online since last week until an undetermined time.

As a result of the flooding, all three of them also faced difficulties in finding open food stalls. Whenever they wanted to eat, they had to walk through the flood for approximately 1 kilometer.

In fact, all three of them wanted to return to their respective homes. However, they couldn't do so.

"Parents know that I am trapped in a flood here. I have also been told to go home, but the roads are flooded and impassable for vehicles," said Khoiruniza, who hails from Pemalang Regency.

The three of them hope that the flood will recede soon so they can return to their activities in their boarding houses or attend classes on campus comfortably.

The flooding that occurred also affected the travelers who pass through the northern coastal route of Semarang daily. The water level in the Kaligawe area of Semarang's northern coast, which reached 90 cm, caused several vehicles to break down. Kusnadi (70), a driver of a goods transport vehicle who was about to deliver goods from Krapyak District, West Semarang, to Genuk District, was one of them.

After leaving his vehicle with the workshop, Kusnadi walked for kilometers towards the stretch of road that was not flooded on Tuesday evening. He would return to his workplace with a ride from his friend.

Kusnadi also lamented the floods that almost annually hit the northern coastal road of Semarang. Instead of improving, the flood conditions in that area, according to Kusnadi, have worsened each year.

"The government must be able to handle floods like this because they happen annually. Actually, if the government wants to do it, it's easy. They have the capital, the money, and they just have to get it done," said Kusnadi.

The Semarang City Government stated that efforts to address flooding are ongoing. This is being carried out by optimizing all infrastructure, including pumping stations. Portable pumps have also been deployed to drain standing water.

The Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Eastern Pumps has 44 pumps with a capacity of approximately 14,196 liters per second, covering eight locations. Key pumps in flood-prone areas have been fully operational. The pump in Trimulyo, Genuk, has been observed to be active and on standby to pump rainwater out of the flood-prone areas.

"Similarly, the pump on Majapahit Street has been reported to be active and operating optimally to control the water flow in the area," said the Head of the Public Works Department of Semarang City, Suwarto.

According to Suwarto, extreme weather still has the potential to occur in the coming days. Therefore, he urged the public to remain vigilant. "Reports indicate that the flow rate of the Babon River is being monitored at a high level. Consequently, the readiness of pumps and the active role of residents in maintaining the cleanliness of drainage channels are key factors. We ensure that the technical team in the field remains on standby 24 hours a day to monitor and operate all pumps," he stated.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Semarang City, Endro Pudyo Martantono, stated that not only is the government working to reduce flooding, but it is also striving to distribute logistical assistance to the kitchens of residents' homes. In addition, the government has also established a public kitchen at the BPBD.

"The community kitchens established by the sub-districts continue to receive logistical supplies from the Semarang City Disaster Response Post. Therefore, their needs are consistently met," said Endro.

The public kitchens supplied packaged rice meals to meet the food needs of the flood disaster victims. In addition, this assistance also aims to alleviate the burden on the flood victims whose economic activities have been disrupted.