REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG -- Train service in Semarang has been disrupted by flooding, causing delays in schedules of several train arrivals and departure in the region.
Head of Indonesia's train network operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia Operation Area IV Semarang Wawan Ariyanto stated on Thursday that water as high as 23 centimeter above rail surface have inundated railway network from Alastua Station and Tawang Station.
The safety limit of water surface was at 10 cm above the rail, he pointed out.
"Only one railway track is operational as the other track is inundated. This has lead to a long queue of trains," Ariyanto explained.
Trains heading to Semarang from the East and West have queued up in stations like Alastua, Brumbung, Tegowanu, Poncol, Jerakah and Mangkang.
Passenger trains have been given priority over cargo trains to enter Semarang.
The railway track between Alastua and Tawang station is the most affected by the flood.
"Fortunately, one track is higher than the other so it has not been submerged. Passenger arrival point has been diverted from Tawang Station to Poncol station," Ariyanto informed.
Water reaching 20-80 cm high have also inundated Kota Lama, cutting access to Tawang Station. The station's waiting room was also inundated with water 80 cm high.
Floods have caused a delay in the arrival of each train by an average of at least one hour.
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