Minister of Public Works' Rebuke Goes Viral, Dredging of Babakan River in Brebes Finally Underway

After the anger of Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo towards officials of the Cimanuk-Cisanggarung River Basin Agency (BBWS Cimancis) went viral, efforts to address the latent flooding that frequently affects Ketanggungan subdistrict in Brebes Regency, Central Java, have begun. The government is now deploying heavy equipment to dredge the Babakan River channel, which has long been the trigger for these floods.

Several pieces of heavy machinery were seen operating along the Babakan River, which runs through the Pantura route in Cimohong Village, Tanjung subdistrict, Brebes Regency. The dredging is being carried out in stages up to the river’s estuary to facilitate smoother water flow.

Environmental activist from the Masyarakat Jaga Kali (Masjaka) group, Mahfudin, appreciated the Public Works Ministry’s step to directly handle the flooding issue by deploying heavy equipment to the site.

“After the estuary section of the Babakan River channel is dredged, it will continue to the upstream section of the Babakan River up to Ketanggungan subdistrict town, where floods inundate dozens of villages each time,” said Mahfudin.

He explained that the flooding in the area not only submerges residents’ settlements but also impacts traffic flow, especially during the 2026 Eid homecoming season. At that time, vehicles from Purwokerto heading to Jakarta and several cities in West Java or the Jabodetabek area experienced long queues leading to the Pejagan Toll Gate.

“During the 2026 Eid return flow season, long queues occurred within Ketanggungan subdistrict town up to near the Pejagan Toll Gate,” Mahfudin clarified.

According to him, the dredging of the Babakan River is being carried out in line with instructions from Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, who previously visited the flood site in Ketanggungan subdistrict.

“At that time, the Minister directly inspected and gave instructions to dredge the Babakan River from downstream and then upstream,” he explained.

Previously, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo went viral on social media after being seen scolding BBWS Cimanuk-Cisanggarung officials for failing to manage the latent flooding in Ketanggungan subdistrict, Brebes Regency. The flood, coinciding with the Eid return flow, caused severe traffic congestion for vehicles from Purwokerto heading to the Jabodetabek area via the Pejagan Toll Gate.

During his inspection, Minister Dody Hanggodo visited the embung in Padakaton Village to directly observe the water overflow trigger points.