Flooding in Genuk Indah, Semarang, Central Java Forces Warteg Suka Asih a Food Stall to Close for More Than Two Weeks

ZALFA RYVTIA NAURAH (30802300006)

By Zalfa Ryvtia Naurah, Local News Reporter
Genuk Indah, November 11 2025

From mid-October to November, heavy rains poured down on the Genuk Indah area in the city of Semarang. This caused flooding in the area, which affected a food stall called Warteg Suka Asih, forcing it to suspend operations for more than two weeks. This closure caused Warteg Suka Asih to experience a decline in income due to a decrease in customers.

Warteg Suka Asih is a food stall that has been open since 2012 and began operating in Genuk Indah in November 2021 and it has several outlets. Flooding in the Genuk Indah area occurs frequently every year, but in October 2025 it was quite severe. The flood reached a height of 30 centimeters, making it impossible for Warteg Suka Asih to operate, especially since Genuk Indah is one of the areas where floods are difficult to recede. The forced closure of Warteg Suka Asih had a significant impact on sales, which declined dramatically because their income depends on the number of customers. As explained by the owner of Warteg Suka Asih:

“... Sempat omset nya turun drastis, kalau banjir kan kita tutup. Banjir tahun ini adalah libur yang paling lama sekitar dua minggu lebih. Biasanya kita tutup mentok di sepuluh hari, namun karena banjir kemarin kita sampai melebihi 14 hari karena banjirnya awet. Warung makan kami di Genuk Indah itu yang paling berdampak karena banjir. Di cabang yang lain meskipun terkena banjir akan tetapi pelanggan masih normal, karena banjir disini genangannya lama surut.”

Translate:

“... Our income dropped dramatically because we had to close during the floods. This year's floods caused the longest closure period, lasting more than two weeks. Normally, we close for a maximum of ten days, but because of the recent floods, we were closed for more than 14 days because the floods lasted so long. Our eatery in Genuk Indah was the most affected by the flooding. At other branches, although they were also flooded, the customers are still normal because the floodwaters here take a long time to recede.”

The length of time it took for the floodwaters to recede in the Genuk Indah area was due to uneven road elevation. The government focused too much on elevating priority roads rather than roads in residential areas. As stated by the owner of Warteg Suka Asih:

“... Sebelumnya jalan sini dan jalan raya kan tinggi nya mirip, namun sekarang sudah lebih karena adanya peninggian jalan, makanya dulu air nya bisa segera surut merata. Karena adanya peninggian jalan yang tidak merata dari pemerintah membuat jalan di daerah Genuk Indah ini seperti tempat penampungan air sehingga surutnya lama.”

Translate:

“... Before, this street and the highway were at a similar height, so the water used to recede quickly and evenly, but now it takes longer because the road has been raised. The uneven road elevation by the government has turned the roads in the Genuk Indah area into a water reservoir, causing the water to recede slowly.”

Although the flooding in Genuk Indah has now subsided, Warteg Suka Asih and the residents still have high hopes for the government to find a solution to the flooding that occurs frequently every year. As stated by the owner of Warteg Suka Asih, the residents strongly recommend that the government prioritize the construction of elevated roads, especially in residential areas, to prevent flooding. They also strongly recommend the use of water pumps to deal with flooding.