Tens of Thousands Affected by Floods in Semarang, Three Die

SEMARANG, KOMPAS — Approximately 63,400 people have been affected by the flooding disaster that has inundated several areas in the city of Semarang, Central Java, over the past week. In this disaster, three individuals lost their lives due to slipping near drainage channels while engaging in activities amidst the floodwaters.

Flooding began to inundate the city of Semarang on Tuesday (21/10/2025) night following heavy rain that poured over the region for several hours. The flooding continued to expand, and its height kept increasing along with the heavy rain that fell until Tuesday (28/10/2025).

As of Wednesday (29/10/2025), floods with varying heights, ranging from 15 centimeters (cm) to 90 cm, continue to inundate 24 sub-districts in 5 districts in the city of Semarang. The five districts that are still submerged are North Semarang, Gayamsari, Genuk, Pedurungan, and East Semarang.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Semarang City, Endro Pudyo Martantono, stated that approximately 63,400 individuals from 21,125 families in five sub-districts have been affected by the flood.

Of the total, 37 individuals, the majority of whom are elderly residents, have been evacuated to two shelter locations, namely the Semarang University Campus and the Muktiharjo Kidul Village Hall in the Pedurungan District.

"There were three fatalities, consisting of two children and one adult. The incidents occurred at different locations," said Endro.

According to Endro, one of the victims died after slipping and subsequently drowning in the Trimulyo retention pond while cleaning up debris. Additionally, one child victim is suspected to have fallen and then drowned, being swept away by the current in a water channel that was not visible due to flooding.

Endro stated that the Semarang City Government continues to strive to reduce the height of the inundation by pumping out water using water pumps. Weather modification operations are also being conducted in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency to decrease the intensity of rainfall in Semarang.

Endro added that the government regularly supplies ready-to-cook ingredients, such as rice, eggs, instant noodles, and sardines, for the consumption needs of residents affected by the flood. In addition to ready-to-cook ingredients, the government also distributes assistance in the form of packaged rice to flood-affected areas.

"Then, we also set up health posts in the affected sub-districts. These posts are on standby 24 hours a day to serve the public who need to access health services," said Endro.

On Tuesday night, Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti visited the evacuation post. During the visit, Agustina provided logistical assistance and other supplies needed by the refugees. She claimed that her team conducts daily rounds to monitor and ensure that the needs of residents affected by the flood are met.

Agustina urged residents who are still staying in flooded homes to evacuate to safe places for their safety. "The most important thing is to save yourself first. There are many points that can be used as temporary shelters. Call the nearest village head and request what is needed; we will find it immediately," she stated.

The flooding that struck the city of Semarang also resulted in the cancellation of 16 train journeys. This was conveyed by the Public Relations Manager of PT Kereta Api Indonesia Operational Region 4 Semarang, Franoto Wibowo.

The canceled train journeys include, among others, Train 496 Kedung Sepur on the Semarang Poncol–Ngrombo route, Train 495 Kedung Sepur on the Ngrombo–Semarang Poncol route, Train 268 Banyubiru on the Semarang Tawang–Solo Balapan route, Train 267 Banyubiru on the Solo Balapan–Semarang Tawang route, and Train 261 Blora Jaya on the Alastua–Semarang Poncol route.

In addition, KA 266 Ambarawa Ekspres train service from Semarang Poncol to Alastua, KA 187 Joglosemarkerto train service from Solo Balapan to Semarang Tawang, KA 263 Ambarawa train service from Alastua to Semarang Tawang, KA 264 Ambarawa Ekspres train service from Semarang Tawang to Alastua, and KA 498 Kedung Sepur train service from Semarang Poncol to Ngrombo.

Subsequently, KA 497 KA Kedung Sepur on the Ngrombo-Semarang Tawang route, KA 192 KA Joglosemarkerto on the Semarang Tawang–Solo Balapan route, KA 186 (KA Joglosemarkerto) on the Semarang Tawang–Solo Balapan route, KA 189 (KA Joglosemarkerto) on the Alastua-Semarang Tawang route, KA 189 (KA Joglosemarkerto) on the Alastua - Semarang Tawang route, and KA 262 (KA Blora Jaya) on the Semarang Poncol-Alastua route.

"The cancellation of several train journeys is an operational step that must be taken to ensure that the normalization process and traffic management can proceed more effectively," said Franoto.

The most important thing is to save yourself first. There are many locations that can be used as temporary evacuation centers.

In addition, six train journeys have had their operational patterns modified by being rerouted through alternative paths. For example, Train 1 Argo Bromo Anggrek on the Surabaya Pasarturi-Gambir route has been redirected via Surabaya Pasarturi-Surabaya Gubeng-Madiun-Solo Balapan-Cirebon-Gambir.

Train KA 2 Argo Bromo Anggrek on the Gambir-Surabaya Pasarturi route has been diverted via Gambir-Cirebon-Solo Balapan-Surabaya Gubeng-Surabaya Pasarturi, while train KA 269 Matarmaja on the Malang-Pasar Senen route has been diverted via Malang-Solo Balapan-Kutoarjo-Purwokerto-Cirebon Prujakan-Pasar Senen.

Then, the 272 Airlangga train on the Senen Market-Surabaya Pasarturi route was diverted to pass through Senen Market-Cirebon Prujakan-Purwokerto-Kutoarjo-Solo Balapan-Gundih-Gambringan-Surabaya Pasarturi.

Train KA 271 Airlangga on the Surabaya Pasarturi-Pasar Senen route has been diverted to pass through Surabaya Pasarturi-Gambringan-Gundih-Solo Balapan-Kutoarjo - Purwokerto-Cirebon Prujakan-Pasar Senen, while train KA 40 Sembrani on the Gambir-Surabaya Pasarturi route has been redirected to pass through Gambir-Cirebon-Purwokerto-Solo Balapan-Madiun-Surabaya Gubeng-Surabaya Pasarturi.

Franoto stated that the disruption of train services in the Semarang area was caused by water accumulation at kilometers 2+3 to 3+0 on the upstream and downstream tracks between Alastua Station and Semarang Tawang. Until now, the officers continue to monitor intensively and carry out normalization of the railway tracks.

"Since Tuesday night, the railway line has been passable with the assistance of locomotives BB 304 and CC 300 provided by the Class I Semarang Railway Engineering Office. Previously, the railway line was impassable due to water levels reaching the tolerance limit, prompting KAI Daop 4 Semarang to implement operational rerouting and cancel several train journeys," he stated.

Franoto stated that all customers affected by the cancellation of the trip will receive a 100 percent refund of the ticket price, excluding booking fees. The refund process can be carried out at the station counter or through Contact Center 121. Claims can be submitted up to a maximum of H+7 from the departure date.