Central Java Provincial Government Allocates Rp400 Million for Emergency Flood Management in Pati
The Central Java Provincial Government is moving swiftly to address the tidal flooding (rob) that has submerged coastal areas of Pati Regency for several years. As an emergency measure, a budget of Rp400 million has been prepared to repair severely damaged coastal protection infrastructure.
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, conducted a direct inspection of Tunggulsari Village, Tayu District, Pati Regency, on Tuesday (23/6). During the visit, the Governor was accompanied by the Acting Regent of Pati, Risma Ardhi Chandra, to assess the damage to a 450-metre embankment, which is the primary cause of seawater entering residential areas and productive farmland.
“The impact of this tidal flooding is extraordinary. We have come to conduct a direct inspection. Following a coordination meeting, today we have decided on concrete steps to handle the tidal flooding in Pati,” said Ahmad Luthfi during the inspection.
The primary focus of the short-term response is the repair of the breached 450-metre embankment. This damage has allowed seawater to penetrate and submerge at least ten villages across two districts, namely Tayu and Margorejo.
Ahmad Luthfi explained that the Rp400 million fund is specifically allocated for emergency embankment repairs to prevent seawater from entering during high tides. “This is the most essential step. For a more comprehensive long-term solution, we will discuss this further in subsequent meetings to ensure a permanent fix,” he added.
The Acting Regent of Pati, Risma Ardhi Chandra, revealed that limited regional budgets have been the main obstacle to embankment repairs in the past. Assistance from the Central Java Provincial Government is seen as a much-needed relief for thousands of affected families.
According to Risma, the economic impact of this disaster is massive. In addition to flooding thousands of homes, tidal flooding has also submerged approximately 400 hectares of aquaculture areas. Fish farmers have faced losses amounting to hundreds of billions of Rupiah due to the loss of farmed fish and shrimp commodities being swept away by the currents.
“This assistance from the Central Java Provincial Government is the temporary solution we desperately need. We hope the embankment repairs are realised immediately so that the economic activities of residents, particularly fish farmers, can recover,” concluded Risma.