North Java Coast Management Authority Reviews Tidal Flood and Abrasion Impact in Ambulu Village, Cirebon
The North Java Coast Management Authority (BOPPUJ) visited Ambulu Village in Losari District, Cirebon Regency, on Thursday (11/6) to assess the impact of abrasion and tidal flooding. Together with several related agencies, the authority conducted a direct inspection of conditions threatening residential areas and followed up on various handling proposals submitted by the village government in recent years.
“Our long struggle to find solutions to the problems of abrasion and tidal flooding has finally found a glimmer of hope,” said Ambulu Village Head Sunaji on Thursday (11/6). According to Sunaji, residents have undertaken various efforts to seek solutions so that the community is not continuously victimised by tidal floods and coastal erosion.
Sunaji explained that the construction of a permanent embankment had actually been carried out by the Cimanuk-Cisanggarung River Basin Agency (BBWS) in July 2024. That construction followed reports on the tidal flood and abrasion conditions submitted to the central government. A permanent embankment on the irrigation channel on the eastern side of the settlement began to be realised. However, due to budget constraints, construction was only completed for 70 metres out of a total requirement of approximately 1.5 kilometres on the eastern side, while handling of the western side was planned for the next phase. “At that time, construction had begun, but it could not yet cover all areas needing protection,” Sunaji said.
Seeing the community increasingly affected by tidal flooding, the Ambulu Village Government then took independent action. On 16 January 2025, embankment construction continued for 1.43 kilometres using bamboo stakes and mesh netting with available resources. This effort initially provided a sense of security for residents in the eastern part of the settlement. However, due to the temporary construction and repeated high tides, the embankment eventually collapsed again.
Subsequently, Sunaji also sought direct support from the central government. On 7 and 16 October 2025, he visited the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in Jakarta to request assistance for the worsening tidal flooding and was received by the Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. In principle, BNPB expressed readiness to help, but disaster management resulting from tidal floods was directed to BOPPUJ under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure.
Then, on 7 December 2025, a joint team consisting of the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Bappenas, and BOPPUJ conducted a field review in Ambulu Village. During that visit, Ambulu was said to be under consideration for inclusion in the National Strategic Programme (PSN) for the construction of the Giant Sea Wall, a massive sea embankment designed to protect the coastal areas of Java’s north coast from abrasion and tidal flooding. “We received information that Ambulu is included in the discussions for the Giant Sea Wall programme. This gives great hope to the community,” he said.
Follow-up visits were conducted on 30 April and 4 June 2026 to ensure Ambulu Village remained a priority in the programme’s discussions. However, the realisation process requires considerable time. Besides the very large investment value, the project also requires in-depth technical, environmental, and social studies before implementation can proceed. The Ambulu Village Government hopes all stages can run smoothly so that residents who have been affected by tidal floods and abrasion for years can soon obtain a permanent solution.
Sunaji added that the village’s condition is now categorised as a tidal flood emergency. “Tidal floods strike almost every day. This tidal flooding has also changed the face of Ambulu Village and had a widespread impact on the lives of the community,” Sunaji said. He explained that tidal floods not only damage houses and the residents’ economy but are also beginning to affect the community’s psychological condition. Residents live in anxiety because they must face the threat of tidal surges almost daily.
According to village government data, around 60 per cent of residential areas in Ambulu Village are now threatened with submersion. Thousands of houses and residents have been affected by the continuous inflow of seawater. “Many residents’ houses have been severely damaged and eventually abandoned by their owners. A number of buildings even appear empty and derelict as they are no longer fit for habitation,” Sunaji concluded.