Semarang Terancam Tenggelam | LIPSUS

Summary

Semarang, a historic city in Central Java, faces a growing environmental crisis due to tidal flooding and land subsidence. Coastal areas, especially in Tanjung Emas and Tambak Lorok, are increasingly submerged as sea levels rise and the land sinks due to over-extraction of groundwater. Local fishermen and residents, who once thrived in these areas, now struggle with disappearing land and homes. While government efforts to address the crisis are ongoing, the urgency of the situation calls for immediate and effective action to prevent further damage to both the environment and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

Takeaways

• 😀 Semarang, a city in Central Java, is known as the 'City of Lumpia' and 'City of Jamu', and faces challenges related to coastal flooding and land subsidence.
• 😀 The northern part of Semarang, which borders the Java Sea, is highly susceptible to tidal flooding (rob), with increasing frequency and severity of floods.
• 😀 The city has been experiencing a rise in sea levels, exacerbated by factors like wind speed, wave height, and sedimentation, particularly in the northern coastal areas.
• 😀 The phenomenon of land subsidence, where the land sinks by up to 10 cm per year, is contributing to worsening flood conditions in Semarang, particularly due to groundwater extraction.
• 😀 Industrial activities, including factories taking groundwater, are linked to the sinking of land in coastal areas, increasing the vulnerability to flooding.
• 😀 In the past, Semarang had more natural coastal features like small forests and banana trees, but these have largely been lost to urbanization and rising tides since the 2000s.
• 😀 Tidal flooding is a regular occurrence in Semarang, with annual increases in sea levels, often reaching 20-30 cm per year, especially since the early 2000s.
• 😀 The area's topography, with a flat coastline, causes floodwaters to quickly spread inland, resulting in widespread flooding during high tides.
• 😀 Efforts to mitigate flooding include the construction of flood control systems like the East Flood Canal and coastal embankments, but the problem persists due to increasing sea levels and land subsidence.
• 😀 There is a sense of helplessness among local communities, who express frustration over the lack of concrete responses and the inadequacy of government actions in tackling the issue of tidal flooding.

Q & A

What is the primary environmental issue discussed in the script?

The script focuses on the issue of coastal flooding, or 'banjir rob', in Semarang, caused by rising sea levels, land subsidence, and the destruction of natural landscapes like mangrove forests.

What are the key factors contributing to the rising sea levels in Semarang?

Key factors include high tidal surges, wind speed, the duration of peak tides, sedimentation causing the shallowing of the sea, and land subsidence due to the extraction of groundwater.

How does land subsidence affect Semarang?

Land subsidence leads to the sinking of the city, causing the coastline to lower and making it more vulnerable to flooding during high tides. It has been reported that the land sinks by around 10 cm per year in some areas.

How has human activity contributed to the flooding issue in Semarang?

Human activities such as industrial development, particularly the extraction of groundwater, have accelerated land subsidence. This has worsened the city's vulnerability to flooding, as groundwater depletion weakens the land structure.

What was the extent of the flooding in Semarang on May 23, 2018?

On May 23, 2018, the flooding was severe, with water levels rising between 30 cm and 1.5 meters in some areas. This was partly caused by a breach in the sea dikes and suspected land subsidence.

What role do the natural landscapes, such as mangroves, play in preventing flooding?

Natural landscapes like mangroves act as a buffer, helping to absorb tidal surges and stabilize the coastline. Their loss has contributed to increased vulnerability to flooding in Semarang.

How have the local communities in Semarang responded to the flooding issues?

Local communities have expressed frustration with the lack of adequate governmental response. While there have been meetings and discussions about the issue, effective action, such as comprehensive flood prevention measures, has been slow.

What are some of the measures being taken to address the flooding in Semarang?

Efforts to mitigate flooding include the construction of flood control infrastructure like the Banjir Kanal Timur (East Flood Canal), the creation of a beach cleaning project in Tanjungmas, and plans to switch from groundwater to PDAM-supplied water to prevent further land subsidence.

What is the predicted future of Semarang's flooding issue if no significant actions are taken?

If no significant measures are implemented, it is predicted that parts of Semarang, particularly those near the coast, will be submerged by 2030. This could lead to displacement of residents and loss of livelihood, especially for fishermen.

What role does the provincial government play in addressing the flooding in Semarang?

The provincial government is involved in managing water usage, especially by regulating the extraction of groundwater. It is also working on implementing flood control measures, such as flood canals and coastal protection projects.