Tenggelamnya Desa Timbulsloko: Mau Pindah, tapi Gak Punya Uang | People

Summary

The video highlights the devastating effects of climate change and land subsidence in Timbulsloko, a village in Demak, Central Java. The community struggles with daily flooding caused by rising sea levels and land sinking, worsened by local development projects such as port and toll road constructions. Despite the persistent challenges, the village lacks government aid, relying solely on community efforts to cope. The video underscores the broader impact of climate change along the northern coast of Java, where rising seas and soil subsidence threaten both livelihoods and infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 😀 The village of Timbulsloko in Demak, Central Java, is heavily affected by flooding caused by tidal surges known as 'banjir rob.'
• 😀 Flooding in Timbulsloko occurs daily, from early morning to noon, and has worsened in recent years.
• 😀 In 2017, flooding caused severe damage, with roads and homes submerged, and even burial grounds being flooded.
• 😀 The flooding is so severe that people sometimes need to use boats to reach the nearest hospital or help bury the deceased.
• 😀 Despite the ongoing challenges, the community in Timbulsloko relies primarily on self-help (swadaya) as there has been no meaningful government assistance.
• 😀 Local residents are asking for help from the government, especially for infrastructure improvements like better roads or equipment to deal with flooding.
• 😀 The crisis in Timbulsloko is a part of a broader issue affecting many coastal regions in northern Java, which are at risk of sinking due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
• 😀 Studies predict that sea levels in Indonesia could rise by 20-30 cm by 2050, significantly impacting coastal areas like Pantura.
• 😀 From 1993 to 2018, the sea level in Indonesia increased by about 4.5 mm annually, contributing to the sinking of coastal regions.
• 😀 The problem is exacerbated by land subsidence, which has been worsened by groundwater extraction and extensive development projects in the region.
• 😀 The construction of the Tanjung Emas Port and the Semarang-Demak sea wall project has contributed to the flooding, as these projects block natural water flows, causing water to overflow into inhabited areas.

Q & A

What is the main environmental issue affecting Timbulsloko?

The main environmental issue affecting Timbulsloko is flooding caused by 'banjir rob' (tidal flooding), which has intensified in recent years due to rising sea levels and land subsidence.

How often does the flooding occur in Timbulsloko?

The flooding occurs daily, typically starting from early morning until midday.

What are the impacts of flooding on the residents of Timbulsloko?

The flooding has caused severe damage, including submerged homes, roads disappearing, burial plots being affected, and challenges accessing medical care due to impassable roads.

What have been the community's efforts to cope with the flooding?

The community has largely relied on self-help efforts ('swadaya') to manage the situation, as there has been little to no assistance from the local government.

What do the residents hope for from the local government?

Residents hope for government intervention, particularly in the form of assistance with infrastructure such as roads and flood management equipment.

What is the predicted impact of climate change on sea levels in the coming years?

Studies predict that sea levels will rise by approximately 20-30 cm by 2050, which will significantly affect coastal areas like Timbulsloko and the northern coast of Java.

What additional factors are contributing to the flooding in the Pantura region, besides climate change?

In addition to climate change, factors such as land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and large-scale construction projects, like port development and toll roads, have exacerbated the flooding.

How has land subsidence affected the region?

Land subsidence has accelerated, with the surface of the land in the Semarang area, including Timbulsloko, sinking between 20 cm and 1.5 meters from 2008 to 2016, largely due to groundwater extraction and construction activities.

What role has port construction played in the flooding issues?

Port construction, particularly the Tanjung Emas Port project, has contributed to the flooding by disrupting the natural flow of water and accelerating coastal erosion, which worsens the flooding in nearby areas.

How have the effects of land subsidence been observed in Semarang?

The effects of land subsidence in Semarang have been particularly visible from 2012 to 2016, where the rate of sinking increased significantly, contributing to the rising severity of tidal flooding.