Floods Displace Thousands Across Indonesia, Disrupting Train Travel

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -  have wreaked havoc across several regions in Indonesia, forcing residents to evacuate and disrupting transportation. In Grobogan, two train trips were canceled due to flooding that submerged the railway tracks at KM 32+5/7, precisely between Gubug Station and Karangjati Station.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency () has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions until January 23, 2025. Here are some of the areas affected by recent floods:

1. Bandar Lampung

The Bandar Lampung City Government has declared a state of emergency due to widespread flooding, as reported by Antara. Seventeen locations across nine sub-districts have been impacted.

“Following a coordination meeting, the Bandar Lampung City Government issued an Emergency Decree (SK). Based on this SK, we propose an emergency status declaration from the Central Government,” said Bandar Lampung City Secretary Iwan Gunawan on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

2. Cirebon

In Cirebon Regency, West Java, flash floods on Friday, January 17, 2025, affected 2,430 residents in five sub-districts.

Acting Cirebon Regent Wahyu Mijaya attributed the flooding to heavy rainfall that overwhelmed several local rivers. He reported that approximately 90 residents were forced to seek shelter in two designated safe locations.

3. Kendal

Floods and landslides struck several areas in Kendal Regency, Central Java, on Monday, January 20, 2025. These events tragically resulted in one fatality and displaced 264 residents.

Abdul Muhari, Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), confirmed that landslides occurred not only in Sukorojo District but also in Boja, Limbangan, Patean, and Plantungan Districts. 

“A total of 16 houses were damaged, and 25 people were affected,” Muhari stated in a text message on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

4. Grobogan

Flooding in Grobogan Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, led to the cancellation of two train trips. The railway tracks at KM 32+5/7 between Gubug Station and Karangjati Station were submerged by floodwaters.

Franoto Wibowo, Public Relations Manager of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI Operational Area 4 Semarang, stated that passengers affected by the cancellations could receive a full refund for their tickets. “Customers can cancel their tickets at the station, and they will receive a 100% refund,” Franoto said on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

5. Semarang

Floods submerged the Dinar Indah Housing Complex in Meteseh Village, Tembalang District, Semarang City, Central Java, on Thursday night, January 16, 2025.

The floodwaters submerged the settlement to a depth of nearly one meter. “The water level is still high, around 80 centimeters,” reported Catur, Head of Neighborhood Community (RW) 26 in the Dinar Indah Housing Complex. He mentioned that residents whose homes were affected sought refuge in the RW Hall and the local mosque.

Endro P. Martanto, Head of the Semarang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (), attributed the flooding to overflowing river water. This was not the first time the Dinar Indah Housing Complex had been affected by flooding.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jamal Abdun Nashr contributed to the writing of this article.

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