Bandjir Kanal Barat was built in response to flood problems in Semarang
- Museum Kota Lama
- Jan 14, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 22, 2023
1879
The situation of the floodgate of West Bandjir Kanal
Source: KITLV, ca.1915
As a water canal and embankment to control the high water discharge during the rainy season, Bandjir Kanal Barat was finished and put into use for the first time on 23 January 1879.
More information:
According to the news in the 14 March 1885 edition of the Samarangsch Advertentie-Blad newspaper, the Bandjir Kanal Barat, which was completed on 23 January 1879, serves as a water canal and embankment to stem the massive water discharge during the rainy season. The Dutch East Indies, led at the time by Governor General Johan Wilhelm van Lansberge, began work on the project. Despite the high cost of building the Bandjir Kanal Barat (about one tonne of gold), flooding in Semarang remained a problem. This was caused by the Semarang River sedimentation as silt was transported downstream. Furthermore, after the Bandjir Kanal Barat was completed, the Dutch East Indies Government did not dredge the riverbed, and the community continued to dump trash in the canal.
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