Paguyangan Landslide in Brebes Cuts Road Access; Local Government Plans Relocation

Persistent rain in the southern part of Brebes Regency has cut off the Cilibu-Langkap road in Paguyangan District, Brebes, in the early hours of Sunday (8 March 2026). The landslide has eroded the entire road shoulder for about 50 metres. The situation grew more worrying when a follow-up landslide occurred at 08:30 WIB on the same day, this time sending soil material crashing into the hillside retaining wall and damaging the school’s sanitary block at SMP Muhammadiyah 03 Paguyangan. Field officers noted cracks at several points around the site, indicating that the risk of further landslides had not fully subsided. Nevertheless, there were no fatalities or injuries, and no residents were evacuated. Brebes Regent Paramitha Widya Kusuma said authorities moved quickly once the disaster information was received. Inter-agency coordination was immediately held to accelerate on-site handling. “The safety of the public and the smooth functioning of transport access are the top priorities of the local government,” Paramitha said in a press statement on Sunday (8 March 2026). Paramitha said coordination has extended to the provincial level. The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, is said to be sending a special task force to support the handling process and the plan to relocate the road corridor. “The government’s attention does not stop at road infrastructure restoration alone. The safety of educational facilities near the landslide cliff is also a serious concern,” Paramitha added. According to Paramitha, they cannot ignore the threat to schools situated above the cliff. “Every step we take must ensure the safety of all communities, especially the children who study there,” she said. Route Relocation Head of the Brebes Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (DPUPR), Dani Asmoro, explained that the technical team had completed field assessments and prepared the handling recommendations. “We plan to relocate the road to the eastern side of its current position, utilising village land and a small portion of land owned by residents that will be processed in accordance with applicable regulations,” Dani said. Dani said the relocation is seen as the most realistic solution to restore access for residents while minimising future disaster risks, given that the original road location still carries significant hazard potential. Residents Urged to Stay Vigilant While the ongoing assessment and relocation planning proceed, staff have been deployed around the site to manage traffic and ensure the safety of people passing through. The Brebes Regency government urges the public to remain cautious and to follow the directions of field officers on the ground.