The northern coast of Java has long faced severe threats from land subsidence and rising sea levels. Now, the expansion of industrial zones is only compounding the danger. One of the hardest-hit areas is the village of Eretan Wetan, which has endured coastal flooding—known locally as rob—for over a decade. Recently, these inundations have grown increasingly severe.

Residents report that floodwaters can submerge their homes for up to 12 hours a day. While many houses now sit abandoned, some locals are forced to stay simply because they have nowhere else to go. How is industrial development along Java’s northern coast worsening the plight of these communities?