Downpour Disaster: Semarang City's Flood Fiasco Unveiled!

Jalan pantura Demak-Semarang, Jawa Tengah. (ANTARA FOTO/YUSUF NUGROHO) The flood on March 14th, 2024, in Semarang was a disaster for the city, highlighting its susceptibility to nature's fury. It serves as a reminder to be more ready for disasters and enhance our infrastructure. Imagine this: intense rain falling, outdated drainage systems straining, and the city expanding quickly without consideration for its impact on the environment. It's a literal disaster waiting to happen. Furthermore, we have disrupted the natural water catchment areas, exacerbating the risk of flooding. The consequences were extremely destructive. Families were evicted from their residences, businesses were destroyed, and vital services suffered negative impacts. People died, and livelihoods were destroyed. The situation was exacerbated by the absence of adequate alert systems and evacuation strategies. We must improve. Early warnings, effective evacuation plans, and secure shelters are required for a...