Trains delayed by flooding

BANDUNG: The trains passing the northern route of Java were delayed for at least four hours due to continuing torrential rain and floods in Central Java, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) spokesman Gatot Wibowo said here on Sunday.

"Since Friday afternoon the railway tracks at Semarang Kota (in Central Java) have been inundated due to torrential rain, at a height of some 30 centimeters above the ground," Gatot said.

A seven-kilometer-long length of railway track connecting several stations such as Semarang Kota and Poncol has been submerged, forcing the company to operate 159 diesel-operated trains to overcome the problem.

"Trains with special cars are needed to pass the inundated tracks and it will take time since the trains have to slow down when passing the slippery track.

"As of Sunday afternoon the water level on Jl. Ronggowarsito near the Semarang station had reached 50 centimeters high.

"So we are uncertain about this situation. If the rains continue, the ground will be eroded and it's impossible for the trains to pass over unstable ground," Gatot said. (25/edt)