UNISSULA Students Persevere Through Kaligawe Floods 2025: Between Online Classes, Rising Water, and Resilience

ZIKHA AMARILLA NUR HAZANAH (30802300011)

Source: detik.com

Semarang, 2025 — The recurring floods in Kaligawe, Semarang, have once again disrupted the daily lives of Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) students. This year’s disaster is considered one of the most severe in recent memory, with floodwaters lingering for more than two weeks and forcing major adjustments in campus activities.

One student, Rani (21), described this year’s flooding as far worse than in previous years.

“Access to campus was nearly impossible. We had to switch to online classes and even conduct lab sessions virtually,” she said.

Although her boarding house was spared from direct flooding because it is located deeper inside a residential alley, Rani admitted that mobility and daily routines were still heavily affected. “I didn’t get flooded, but I couldn’t go anywhere because the main road was under water. We had to study online for about two weeks,” she explained.

Unstable internet connections made virtual learning particularly challenging. “Sometimes the Zoom calls kept cutting off, especially during practical sessions. It really affected the learning process,” she added.

The floods also caused food shortages around her neighborhood. “Most food stalls were closed, so for more than a week I only ate fried chicken and instant noodles. Those were the only shops still open,” Rani said with a small laugh.

Another student, Bylqis (21), shared a more harrowing experience. She recalled that the floodwaters rose high enough to submerge small cars. “In front of my boarding house, the water reached my thighs, and on the main street it was about knee-high. It took days to recede because it kept raining,” she explained.

The flood not only halted transportation but also damaged infrastructure. “Many roads were full of potholes after the water went down. It was difficult to go anywhere, and the power outage made things worse,” Bylqis said.

Both Rani and Bylqis acknowledged that the university responded quickly by issuing a circular to move all classes online during the flood period. “The campus immediately announced online learning because so many routes to UNISSULA were inaccessible. It’s convenient in some ways, but honestly, it’s harder to stay focused compared to face-to-face classes,” Bylqis admitted.

Several student organizations and faculty representatives also provided aid. “There was food assistance from the Student Executive Board (BEM), such as packed meals for those stuck in their dorms,” she added.

However, Bylqis expressed disappointment with the government’s flood management efforts. “It doesn’t feel any different from last year. The main issue is the lack of proper water absorption areas. Raising the road levels doesn’t solve the problem — the water still has nowhere to go,” she said.

Both students hope that authorities and the university will take more proactive measures to prevent the situation from repeating every year. “We need a better flood preparedness and emergency response system,” Rani suggested. “If they keep raising the roads without fixing drainage and absorption systems, eventually the houses will have to be raised too. One day, Semarang might sink,” Bylqis warned.

Despite these challenges, both remain optimistic. “The key is to adapt and stay motivated, even when the internet is terrible,” Rani said. Bylqis closed with a message of perseverance: “We’ve already invested so much in our studies. The best thing we can do is stay grateful and keep going.”

The 2025 Kaligawe floods highlight the persistent infrastructure and environmental challenges facing Semarang’s coastal areas. Yet amid the disruption, UNISSULA students have demonstrated remarkable resilience, community spirit, and determination to keep learning — even when their city is submerged.