Realitas - Pekalongan Diambang Tenggelam

Summary

The city of Pekalongan, known for its batik heritage, faces an alarming crisis as it nears the brink of submersion due to rising sea levels and land subsidence. The city, situated on the northern coast of Java, is seeing a dramatic increase in flood events and land erosion. Since 2018, over 30% of the city has been submerged, displacing residents. Experts predict that by 2035, 90% of Pekalongan's land could be underwater, with local geologists attributing this to soft soil, over-exploitation of groundwater, and climate change. Despite these risks, residents continue to adapt, though the future remains uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pekalongan, known for its batik industry, is facing the threat of sinking due to rising sea levels and land subsidence.
• 😀 The city, with a population of 315,000, is located at a low elevation of just 1 meter above sea level.
• 😀 Since 2018, 31% of Pekalongan's area has been submerged due to tidal flooding, with coastal villages regularly experiencing flooding.
• 😀 Areas like Dusun Semoned have been drastically affected by erosion, with some parts of the village becoming islands, forcing residents to leave.
• 😀 Local residents, such as Suroso, have chosen to remain despite the challenges, building makeshift homes to survive in areas with rising water levels.
• 😀 The town of Wonokerto has seen the worst impacts of tidal flooding, with the water level continuously rising year after year.
• 😀 The situation in Pekalongan is not limited to coastal villages; areas farther inland, such as the Griya Panjang residential complex, are also sinking due to land subsidence.
• 😀 Since 2017, the Griya Panjang complex has been experiencing continuous flooding and land subsidence, with many homes now abandoned or repurposed as fishing ponds.
• 😀 Rising sea levels and land subsidence are predicted to submerge up to 90% of Pekalongan's land by 2035, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of people.
• 😀 The local government is aware of the issue but struggles to balance economic growth, such as new hotels and malls, with environmental preservation, particularly regarding groundwater extraction.
• 😀 Climate change and human actions, such as over-exploitation of natural resources, are accelerating the sinking of Pekalongan, with urgent action needed to prevent further damage.

Q & A

What is the primary environmental threat facing Pekalongan, as described in the transcript?

The primary environmental threat facing Pekalongan is land subsidence and rising sea levels, which are causing flooding and erosion, gradually making the city uninhabitable.

How much has the land in Pekalongan subsided as of December 2022?

As of December 2022, the land in Pekalongan has subsided by 15 cm.

What percentage of Pekalongan has already been submerged by the sea since 2018?

Since 2018, 31% of Pekalongan has already been submerged by the sea.

Which neighborhood in Pekalongan has become particularly uninhabitable due to sea encroachment?

The Semonen neighborhood in Wonokerto has become particularly uninhabitable due to sea encroachment, with many homes abandoned and the area severely impacted by tidal flooding.

What is the predicted situation for Pekalongan by 2035 according to experts?

Experts predict that by 2035, 90% of Pekalongan will be submerged, and areas affected by tidal floods are expected to increase from 0.5% in 2020 to 51%.

How has the geography of Pekalongan contributed to the land subsidence problem?

Pekalongan’s geography, being a low-lying area with soft alluvial deposits, has contributed to the land subsidence, as these deposits are not yet stabilized and continue to compress, accelerating the sinking of the land.

What impact has land subsidence had on the living conditions of the residents in Pekalongan?

Land subsidence has led to frequent flooding, forcing residents to elevate their homes or abandon them. Many houses have become submerged, and communities have been displaced due to the rising sea levels and sinking land.

What role has the extraction of groundwater played in the land subsidence in Pekalongan?

The extraction of groundwater has contributed to the land subsidence in Pekalongan, as it has caused the ground to sink further. This issue is exacerbated by the lack of effective measures to reduce groundwater extraction.

Why are local residents unable to fully prevent the flooding from tidal waves (banjir rob)?

Residents are unable to prevent flooding from tidal waves because the sea levels continue to rise, and even when they elevate their homes, the water levels from the tidal floods keep surpassing the raised ground, causing water to enter their homes.

What challenges does the Pekalongan government face in addressing the city's environmental crisis?

The Pekalongan government faces the challenge of balancing economic development, such as attracting investors for hotels and malls, with environmental sustainability. Despite knowing that reducing groundwater extraction is essential, they have not yet implemented this measure effectively, as it would negatively impact local businesses and the economy.