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| Brebesku News - Tidal flooding hits coastal Brebes, submerging hundreds of homes and forcing residents to evacuate as authorities deploy emergency response teams. |
BREBES, Indonesia – Tidal flooding has again struck coastal areas of Brebes regency in Indonesia’s Central Java province, submerging hundreds of homes and forcing residents to evacuate, local disaster officials said on Tuesday.
The flooding, known locally as rob, was triggered by high sea tides combined with strong coastal winds, affecting several low-lying districts including Brebes, Losari and Wanasari.
According to data from the regency’s Public Information Office (PPID), hundreds of houses in Brebes district were inundated. Local media reports estimate that more than 2,100 households across coastal areas have been affected, though authorities said assessments were still ongoing.
Rising sea levels
The Brebes Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said elevated sea levels were detected in the early hours of the morning, driven by a combination of lunar tides and changing wind patterns over the Java Sea.
BPBD officials deployed evacuation boats to assist residents in flooded neighbourhoods and set up temporary shelters for those displaced.
Several coastal villages, including Randusanga Kulon, Sawojajar and Kluwut, were among the worst affected, according to preliminary reports.
Disruption to daily life
The flooding disrupted economic activity in coastal communities, where many residents depend on small-scale trading and fishing-related businesses.
Local authorities said several elementary schools suspended classes due to inundated access roads, while residential infrastructure, including stilt houses and neighbourhood roads, suffered light to moderate damage from prolonged exposure to seawater.
Emergency response
BPBD teams, supported by the military and police, carried out evacuations and established emergency posts in affected areas. Community kitchens were also set up by social welfare volunteers to provide food and basic supplies for displaced residents.
Authorities said no fatalities had been reported, but warned that further tidal flooding could occur depending on sea and weather conditions.
Long-term challenges
Climatology experts from Jenderal Soedirman University said repeated tidal flooding along Brebes’ northern coastline is linked to land subsidence, seasonal westerly winds, and rising global sea levels associated with climate change.
The issue has become a recurring challenge for coastal communities in northern Java, where low elevation and rapid urban development increase vulnerability to seawater intrusion.
“I hope there will be a long-term solution, not just emergency responses every time the tide comes in,” said one coastal resident, who declined to be named.
Outlook
Local authorities said they continue to monitor sea conditions and are coordinating with provincial and national agencies on both emergency response and longer-term mitigation efforts.
Tidal flooding remains a persistent risk for coastal regions in Central Java, particularly during periods of high tides and adverse weather.