Flooding in Genuk-Kaligawe has Paralyzed the Activities of Some Residents of Semarang

RIKHA KUMMALA (30802300021)

Deep rain since October 22 has caused extended flooding in the East Semarang area. Residents and UMKM players have suffered losses.

The major flooding that has hit the Genuk to Kaligawe area in East Semarang since October 22, 2025 has had a major impact on the community. The flooding, which lasted for almost two weeks, completely paralyzed residents' activities, especially for UMKM who had difficulty obtaining food supplies and access to distribution.

Heavy rains poured down on the eastern part of Semarang, especially the Genuk and Kaligawe areas, from October 22 to 25, 2025. The high rainfall prevented water from draining properly, flooding residents' homes, public facilities, and roads. From October 26 to 27, 2025, the water gradually receded, giving residents hope that they could resume their activities. Unfortunately, heavy rains returned from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on October 28, causing the floods to return with even more severe conditions than before.

This flood not only submerged residential areas, but also paralyzed various important activities. Many residents were unable to work because the roads were blocked by water, while students and staff of Sultan Agung Islamic University (UNISSULA) were also affected due to disrupted access to the campus. The main road connecting the two areas was paralyzed for days, causing long traffic jams and mobility difficulties for residents.

In addition to hampering daily activities, the flood also damaged infrastructure in the Genuk and Kaligawe areas. Water that remained for almost two weeks had eroded the road asphalt, causing the road surface to become damaged and holed. The residents considered that the local government was slow to respond to this problem, both in terms of pumping out the water and providing assistance to the affected residents.

The worst impact was felt by small and medium-sized enterprises (UMKM) that depend on daily food supplies. One of those affected is the Bebek Rempah food stall located in the Genuk area. In an interview, one of the employees, Mrs. Siti, revealed her struggles in finding food supplies amid the floods. “I walk from Jalan Kapas Raya 9 to Pasar Bangetayu, which takes up to three hours to go and return,” she said.

The long journey did not always yield results. She said that many food items, such as vegetables, tempeh, and tofu, were difficult to obtain because supplies from outside the area were also disrupted by the floods. As a result, the food stall where she works had to temporarily close due to a shortage of raw materials. This situation added to the economic burden on the community, which was already struggling due to the rising floodwaters.

After nearly two weeks, the floods in the Genuk and Kaligawe areas finally began to recede on November 2, 2025. Residents' activities slowly returned to normal, but much of the infrastructure was still damaged and in need of urgent repair. Residents hoped that the government would move quickly to repair the roads and prevent similar floods in the future.