Ahmad Luthfi Confirms Temporary Shelters for Brebes Land Movement Victims
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi inspected the site and pushed for accelerated disaster response through the construction of temporary shelters in areas deemed technically safe. He also chaired a Disaster Response and Aid Distribution Meeting at Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Qur’an Al Munawir, Sirampog, Brebes, on Wednesday (18 February).
“For this land movement, the only thing that can be done is to relocate people and their belongings,” Luthfi said in a written statement on Wednesday (18 February 2026).
According to data from the Brebes Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), at least 143 homes have been affected, with 10 severely damaged and 124 others under threat.
In addition, two places of worship and two educational facilities have also been affected. The main village road access spanning approximately 700 metres has also subsided.
Current conditions indicate that ground movement remains active due to high rainfall in the Sirampog hill area. The landslide direction is moving south-west, with a high potential for further movement.
Given this situation, Luthfi urged residents not to return to their homes, as conditions remain dangerous.
The Central Java Provincial Government has coordinated with the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). Temporary shelters are planned to be built on plot 34G belonging to KPH Perhutani West Pekalongan.
Meanwhile, evacuation efforts have been centred at Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Qur’an Al-Munawir, Dukuh Limbangan. A communal kitchen has been established using Unexpected Expenditure (BTT) budget allocations.
On the occasion, Luthfi also distributed a total of Rp175.97 million in aid. The assistance came from the Central Java Provincial BPBD (Rp18.24 million), the Central Java Social Affairs Office (Rp90.77 million), the Food Security and Agriculture Office (Rp18 million), the Health Office (Rp11.77 million), the Education Office (Rp27 million), and the Indonesian Red Cross (Rp10.19 million).
Brebes Regent Paramitha Widya Kusuma expressed appreciation for the swift response from the Central Java Provincial Government in handling the disaster in her area.
“Thank you very much for the assistance and rapid response. The Governor even came together with the relevant Regional Apparatus Organisations (OPD). The people of Brebes need not worry any longer — we are working together through gotong royong, and everything has been prepared by the Central Java Provincial agencies,” she said.
One resident of Dukuh Bojongsari, Sridadi Village, Susi Susanti, said she had to evacuate with her three children, including a 10-month-old baby. She chose to evacuate for the safety of her children and hoped that baby essentials such as nappies, soap, telon oil, and bathing supplies would remain available at the evacuation site.
Another resident, Tona, whose wooden house sits on the edge of the forest near a river, said he has never felt at ease when heavy rain falls, as the riverbank keeps encroaching closer to his home.
“It’s worse now. The ground is moving very fast. When it rains heavily at night, I cannot feel at ease,” he said.
He expressed hope of being relocated to a truly safe location. “If there were permanent housing, I would very much want that. So I could live in peace,” he said.
The land movement disaster in Sirampog, Brebes, first occurred on Wednesday (28 January) at approximately 6.00 pm local time. The event was triggered by extreme weather causing ground movement on slopes with an inclination of approximately 45 degrees, directed towards the Kali Keruh river in the high hill area of Sirampog District.