Governor Ahmad Luthfi Requests Acceleration of Brebes Landslide Response
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has requested acceleration of landslide management in Cilibur Village, Paguyangan District, Brebes Regency. This was communicated during his direct inspection of the landslide site on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The inspection was conducted to ensure disaster impact management proceeds rapidly to prevent expansion into residential areas. During the visit, Luthfi was accompanied by Brebes Regent Paramitha Widya Kusuma, Central Java Regional Disaster Management Agency Head Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, Central Java Public Works and Housing Service Head Henggar Budi Anggoro, and Education Service Head Sadimin.
The landslide in the area was triggered by high-intensity rainfall beginning on 1 March 2026. The heavy precipitation caused the Longkrang River discharge to increase, eroding the riverbank and causing soil saturation and landslides. The situation worsened when heavy rain again struck the area on 8 March 2026. The riverbank was further eroded, triggering landslides that destroyed the inter-village and inter-district connecting road and collapsed buildings at SMP Muhammadiyah 3 Paguyangan. There were no fatalities in either incident.
Ahmad Luthfi inspected the landslide point directly, which caused the connecting road between villages and districts to collapse. He also held a coordination meeting on disaster response at the site with stakeholders and community representatives.
“The road must be rebuilt immediately. The technical details will be discussed first because this is a district road, and the province will provide intervention. The district will prepare what alternatives, and the province will do its part,” said Luthfi.
Beyond road repairs, Luthfi also requested acceleration of repairs to SMP Muhammadiyah 3 Paguyangan, which was affected by the landslide. The disaster caused the school’s bathroom building to collapse and several other structures are threatened with collapse.
As a result, teaching and learning activities have been temporarily moved to the Madrasah Diniyah Muhammadiyah Building in Cilibur Village, approximately 200–300 metres from the landslide site.
“So the schoolchildren cannot stop attending. The school principal should immediately report to the education service about any shortfalls. Although the junior secondary school is the regent’s responsibility, the province will help,” he said.
Central Java Public Works and Housing Service Head Henggar Budi Anggoro stated that there are two alternative approaches to handling the damaged road. First, relocating the road by utilising available land. Second, maintaining the existing route by constructing a retaining wall or stabilisation structure on the eroded riverbank.
“For the second alternative, we will dismantle the frontmost building to open road access, then only need to address the road curve. This will be coordinated again with the district service,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMP Muhammadiyah 3 Paguyangan Head Ahmad Najib stated that teaching and learning activities continue normally despite temporary relocation to the Madrasah Diniyah Muhammadiyah building approximately 200 metres from the school.
“We have 108 students. Teaching and learning activities are proceeding well,” he said.
Regarding school relocation plans, his organisation, along with Muhammadiyah Charitable Works (Amal Usaha Muhammadiyah), has prepared an alternative site currently awaiting verification from relevant agencies.
“We have submitted a report to the education service and relocation is indeed necessary. The location has been discussed with the branch chairman; it only needs verification,” he said.