(JP/Suherdjoko)

Tawang railway station in Semarang has been flooded with seawater due to high tides, known locally as "rob", for the past four days.

The flood forced passengers to cross an emergency bridge erected as soon as the water in the station was knee high.

"I didn't expect the water to flood through the station as high as it is. I came here to pick up my family who traveled from Jakarta," Wijanarko, a resident of Peterongan in Semarang, Central Java, said Monday.

In anticipation of further problems, the Semarang branch of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api will use Poncol and Tawang stations for business and executive class passengers. Poncol station is usually used only for passengers on economic class trains.

"Passengers can choose between the two stations. Currently, Poncol is free from flooding. We also sell tickets for business and executive class trains in Poncol," said Poncol station head Tri Suwarno.

Spokesman for the Semarang branch of PT Kereta Api, Warsono, said the relocation of business and executive trains from Tawang to Poncol had disrupted activity in Poncol.

"But it's OK, because now we are in an emergency situation," he added.

Also flooded as of Monday morning were part of Johar traditional market and the Kota Lama area. The water had dried up by noon Monday. -- JP/Suherdjoko

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