In May 2022, Semarang, a city in the northern part of Central Java, faced an extreme tidal event that sent floodwaters surging into the area. With sea levels rising to an alarming +210 centimeters above sea level—exceeding the previous five-year high of +180 cm—critical infrastructure, including areas near Ahmad Yani Airport, was under threat.

In response, the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works initiated a series of emergency flood control measures. One of the key directives was the construction of a temporary embankment to stop seawater from inundating land-based infrastructure and nearby residential areas.

A Collaborative Response to Crisis

The responsibility for executing the embankment construction was by Nindya Karya – Mataram KSO. The design called for a 5-meter-high embankment, comprised of a 3-meter soil base supported by bamboo pile foundations—driven 4 meters deep—and topped with a 2-meter-high structure made from FlexMac® DT, a rapid-deployment flood control system.

This marked an important milestone for Maccaferri Indonesia, which proposed FlexMac® DT as an ideal solution for the emergency works. Unlike traditional solutions such as geobags or jumbo bags, FlexMac DT stands out for its quick deployment, minimal manpower requirement, and modular design making it ideal for time-sensitive disaster mitigation scenarios.

Why FlexMac® DT?

FlexMac DT is a proven solution globally, widely used in flood-prone regions of Europe and the United States for decades. Its arrival in Indonesia is relatively recent, but this project showcased its versatile application and efficiency under pressure. The galvanized steel mesh and geotextile-lined units allow for rapid filling with available materials, making them both effective and scalable for temporary or semi-permanent flood defenses.

By implementing FlexMac DT, the project team ensured a faster construction timeline and more resilient protection, setting a new benchmark for emergency flood defense systems in Indonesia.

Protecting the Future

This emergency flood barrier project near Ahmad Yani Airport exemplifies how modern engineering solutions can adapt to increasingly erratic climate patterns. With rising sea levels and intensifying weather events becoming the norm, the adoption of versatile and reliable flood control systems like FlexMac® DT will be essential in safeguarding critical infrastructure and communities.

Maccaferri Indonesia is proud to contribute to this collaborative effort and remains committed to providing sustainable, innovative, and rapid-response solutions for Indonesia’s growing infrastructure challenges.

Get a free consultation on Maccaferri’s Hydraulic solutions at [email protected]