Kebonagung–Gubug road severed after Tuntang River embankment collapses
Demak (ANTARA) — The Kebonagung–Gubug road in Demak Regency, Central Java, a principal route connecting Demak to Semarang, has been severed after it was eroded by the powerful flow of the Tuntang River following the collapse of a river embankment in the early hours of Monday (17 February).
“Because the road has been cut off, the Kebonagung–Gubug route from Demak to Semarang has been temporarily closed for the safety of road users,” said Demak Police Chief Senior Commissioner Arrizal Samelino Gandasaputra whilst accompanying Demak Regent Eisti’anah on an inspection of the severed road in Kebonagung Village, Demak Regency, on Tuesday.
For the time being, he said, traffic is being diverted via the Pantura (northern coast) route.
He explained that post-flood response and road damage repair efforts are still under way. A number of parties are involved in the emergency response, ranging from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police (Polri) to the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and local village officials.
“This is post-flood work. Everything is still in progress. We are coordinating with all parties to accelerate the response so that traffic can return to normal,” he said.
According to the police chief, officers are working day and night to secure the location, anticipate potential hazards, and prevent residents from approaching the severed road, as the water flow had previously been extremely strong.
“We have closed off access. We urge the public to remind one another, especially to keep children from playing near the site, as it is extremely dangerous,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kebonagung Village Head Turyadi revealed that the embankment collapsed on Monday (16 February) at approximately 03:00 local time.
The section of the Tuntang River’s left embankment that gave way spans roughly 25 metres.
As a result, approximately 20 metres of the concrete carriageway — a provincial road — was also eroded and is impassable to vehicles.
As of now, the Kebonagung–Gubug route remains completely closed and motorists have been asked to use the alternative Pantura route whilst repairs are carried out.