30-Metre Cliff Collapse in Brebes: School Building Engulfed
A cliff approximately 30 metres high in Cilibur Village, Paguyangan District, Brebes Regency, Central Java, collapsed early Sunday (8 March) at around 01.00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time).
The incident, believed to have been triggered by heavy rainfall in the southern Brebes region, resulted in a school building situated at the cliff’s edge being engulfed and lost.
The event reportedly began when heavy rainfall caused water overflow in the Kali Longkrang river. The river’s surge then eroded the northern cliff face where the school building and road were located.
The erosion subsequently triggered a landslide measuring 20 metres in length and 30 metres in height.
“The incident occurred Sunday as a result of heavy rain in southern Brebes. Flood currents from the river eroded the soil where the school stood and damaged the road,” said Brebes Public Works Department Head Dani Asmoro on Monday (9 March).
Several hours later, a secondary landslide occurred at the same location.
At 08.30 WIB, the secondary landslide damaged a retaining wall and the bathroom building of SMP Muhammadiyah 03 Paguyangan.
The bathroom building, measuring 3 metres wide and 6 metres long, was carried away by the landslide and fell into a ravine.
Additionally, a 3-metre-wide section of the Cilibur-Langkap road measuring 50 metres in length collapsed. The route is currently completely closed and impassable.
“The school’s bathroom building and provincial road have been damaged. The building was swept away by the landslide, as was the provincial road section,” Dani added.
“We immediately coordinated with all relevant agencies upon receiving the initial report. Public safety and uninterrupted transportation access are the local government’s top priorities,” said Brebes Regent Paramitha Widya Kusuma.
“We have also coordinated with the governor, who has indicated he intends to send a team to assist with relocation efforts,” she added.
She noted that remedial measures must be carefully formulated given the high-risk field conditions.
Regarding the damaged educational facility and the risk it faces from further landslides, the regent stressed that immediate action would be taken. According to her, the government’s focus extends beyond road restoration to include the safety of educational facilities.
“We cannot ignore the threat posed to the school situated above the cliff. Every step we take must ensure the safety of all residents, especially the children studying there,” she said.