Heavy Rains Cause Train Delays and Cancellations in West, Central Java
Jakarta. Heavy rain in Java in recent days has caused severe flooding and led to train delays over the weekend, particularly in Central and West Java, officials said on Sunday (25/02).
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday visited flood-affected railways in Central and West Java.
"Today, I will visit those areas to observe the damage, to know the cause [of the delays], and walk down the river near the flood affected areas," the minister said on Sunday, adding that authorities across ministries will work on a contingency plan to get trains up and running.
The Cisanggarung River in Kuningan, West Java, overflowed over the weekend due to sustained bouts of heavy rainfall.
Since Friday, tracks between Cirebon, West Java, and Purwokerto and Tegal in Central Java have been affected by the floods, causing long delays for passengers.
The floods have caused the delay or cancellation of 33 trains from Jakarta to West and Central Java, according to Edi Kuswoyo, a spokesman for state-run railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
"The directorate general of railways and KAI are trying hard to normalize vital rail lines that have been damaged because of the overflow of the Cisanggarung River," said Zulfikri, director general of railways at the Ministry of Transportation.
On Saturday, KAI rerouted 14 trains in Central Java to avoid the damaged railways, said Suprapto, a spokesman of KAI for Semarang, Central Java, and surrounding areas.
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