Train Travel Hampered Again Due To Flood In Semarang

Semarang, C. Java, Feb 4 (Antara) - The train route, which passes through Semarang, has been hampered once again due to the floods that inundated the tracks between Tawang and Alastua Stations. "The track from Tawang to Alastua has been flooded again. However, only one track is submerged," stated head of Fourth Regional Operations of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Wawan Ariyanto in Semarang on Tuesday. Wawan explained that there are two tracks from Tawang to Alastua. One is an old track, while the other is a new track built along the double track project. According to Wawan, the old track was flooded with the water level up to 15 centimeters above the surface of the rails, or exceeding the safety tolerance limit for trains to pass by. "The safety tolerance limit is a maximum of 10 centimeters above the surface of the rails," he stated. Meanwhile, the other track was not flooded and can have trains passing over it. This has resulted in trains queuing up because of the availability of just one usable track. "We estimate that the each train maybe delayed by an average of one or two hours. We have ensured that the passenger trains are given priority over freight trains," he noted. Wawan stated that the trains were scheduled to stop at Poncol Station. So, the passengers who were to depart from Tawang Station were asked to reach Poncol Station. Earlier, train travel had been hampered due to flooding that inundated Semarang on Thursday from Tawang to Alastua. In fact, the water level was high at 23 centimeters above the surface of the rails.