ARGUMENT TEXT 2: LACK OF WATER CATCHMENT AREAS

Thesis:

The heavy rain in Semarang this time feels very different, the rain is usually just running water but this time the water inundates the streets to cause flooding. With the information sent by the homeroom teacher that today is online not for nothing but because of the very heavy rain that flushed the city of Semarang causing not only flooding, but land subsidence, and also landslides in several parts of the Semarang area which made outside activities delayed. One of the delayed activities is teaching and learning activities at school, teaching and learning activities at school precisely today Thursday, March 14, 2024 teaching and learning activities in several schools are forced to be carried out online.Very heavy rain that only stops for a short time can cause some areas of Semarang to be flooded, especially the eastern region of Semarang on the east canal flood river overflowing to the highway at night which causes the eastern region of Semarang to be affected by tidal flooding.

Argument 1:

Semarang City has two main canals, the East Flood Canal and the West Flood Canal. The two canals have a function as flood control in Semarang City. Perhaps the function of the canal has begun to diminish because in December 2021 last year the canal had overflowed to inundate roads and settlements after heavy rain. Perhaps the 2021 floods were the cause of the eastern flood canal's river capacity not being able to hold as much water as it did when it rained last night, until it finally overflowed heavily onto the streets.

Argument 2:

Flooding is not only caused by heavy rains, it can also be caused by other factors such as the amount of garbage that clogs the flow of small gutters on the side of the road, causing rainwater to pool on the road and cause flooding. If the garbage that clogs it is cleaned up, it will minimize the occurrence of flooding on the highway because the water that comes down to the road can recede through the gutter. Another factor causing rain can be the lack of water catchment areas in the upstream area, this occurs due to the transition of catchment areas into built-up areas (development in the area).

Argument 3:

The density of residential areas as well as the lack of organized drainage channels leading to poor drainage are other factors that cause flooding. Drainage channels are an important part of the spatial arrangement of the water system. In spatial planning, drainage channels function to direct the flow of water to prevent puddles and flooding. Drainage channels control the quality of underground water by using infiltration wells.

Conclusion:

So, the Mayor of Semarang should look for other factors that cause flooding that still need attention. Not only the Mayor of Semarang, but all of us who are part of the citizens must pay more attention to the environment we live in, in addition to the Mayor of Semarang must be prepared to prepare strategies to overcome the problem of flooding in the Semarang area.