RRI.CO.ID, Bekasi Regency — Hundreds of families in the coastal of Muaragembong Subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, West Java are on high alert following the collapse of a critical Citarum River embankment. The breach occurred during the early hours of Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The breach was triggered by a sudden surge in river volume that sent floodwaters rushing into residential areas. This incident affected 553 households across five different hamlets within Pantai Bakti Village.

The disaster occurred around midnight when the river's retaining wall gave way, leaving an eight-meter gap that allowed water to inundate the low-lying settlements. While no casualties or forced evacuations have been reported, the flood has disrupted daily life, with water levels reaching depths of up to 60 centimeters in several neighborhoods.

Dody Supriyadi, the Head of Emergency and Logistics at the Bekasi Regency Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), confirmed the extent of the damage from Cikarang. He noted that the breach was a direct result of the river's inability to contain the rising water discharge.

"The increase in the Citarum River water discharge resulted in a breached embankment. The water then overflowed and inundated residential areas. Water levels reached a height of 60 centimeters," said Dody, as quoted by Antara.

The point where the Citarum River embankment broke in Pantai Bakti Village, Muaragembong Subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo: Antara/Pradita Kurniawan Syah)

Field assessments conducted by disaster teams identified Singkil Hamlet as the most heavily impacted area with 152 affected families, followed by Bendungan Hamlet with 141 families.

Other affected clusters include Biyombong Hamlet, Gedung Cinde Hamlet, and Gedung Bokor Hamlet. Despite the damp conditions and varying water levels, most residents have opted to remain in their homes to guard their belongings while keeping a watchful eye on the receding tide.

In response to the emergency, the BPBD has coordinated with local village officials to distribute immediate relief. Beyond food supplies, the agency is focusing on temporary repairs to prevent the breach from widening.

"The logistics we sent include gabions, sacks, tarps, ready-to-eat meals, mineral water, and basic food packages for the residents' basic needs," explained Dody.

While emergency repairs are underway, the disaster has reignited calls for a more permanent solution to the perennial flooding in Bekasi's coastal regions.

Disaster officials have formally recommended the construction of a permanent sheet pile wall along the Citarum River banks to serve as a long-term mitigation strategy. For now, personnel remain stationed at the site to monitor water signatures as the threat of further surges persists.

"We are still stationing personnel at the location to anticipate a possible increase in water discharge," he added. ***