Sungai Babakan in Brebes Overflows, Emergency Response Implemented
The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is implementing emergency flood response measures in Ketanggungan Subdistrict, Brebes Regency, Central Java, following the overflow of the Sungai Babakan due to intense heavy rainfall in the upstream areas.
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo explained that rapid actions are focused on restoring access and addressing on-site impacts to enable community activities to resume quickly.
“Connectivity is the lifeblood of social and economic activities. In disaster situations, the top priority is ensuring access remains open so that emergency responses, aid distribution, and resident mobility can proceed. The Ministry of Public Works is present to ensure that connectivity is restored promptly,” he stated on Friday (27/3/2026).
Through the Cimanuk Cisanggarung River Basin Organisation (BBWS), the Ministry of Public Works has undertaken several emergency response steps.
These efforts are supported by the deployment of mobile flood pumps and intensive on-site monitoring. Currently, the flood conditions are reported to be receding.
The flooding occurred due to an increase in the discharge of the Sungai Babakan, influenced by high rainfall in the upstream areas, particularly around the Cisadap Weir.
The water level (TMA) of the Sungai Babakan upstream of Ketanggungan was recorded at an elevation of 5.50, far exceeding the normal elevation of 3.00.
This situation was exacerbated by sedimentation in several river segments, which reduced flow capacity, especially in areas near settlements and road networks.
The flood impacts include approximately 300 households affected and around 200 hectares of paddy fields submerged.
Puddling also occurred along Jenderal Sudirman Road in Ketanggungan Subdistrict, which is part of the Lebaran homecoming route, spanning about 2 kilometres, necessitating traffic rerouting and diversions.
For follow-up handling, the Ministry of Public Works is preparing medium-term measures, including riverbank reinforcement and the construction of retention ponds at several strategic points through the Flood Management in North Java Project (FMNJP).
The Ministry of Public Works will continue to strengthen the reliability of water resource infrastructure and enhance flood disaster mitigation efforts to protect the community and maintain smooth economic activities, including during high-mobility periods such as the Eid homecoming and return flows.