JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s Central Java province has been struck by devastating rain-triggered landslides, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 18 individuals, as officials reported on Monday. The search for survivors continues in the affected areas.
In Cilacap city, a significant landslide last week buried numerous homes in Cibeunying village, prompting urgent response efforts from local disaster mitigation agencies. According to M Abdullah, chief of the search and rescue unit’s local division, the death toll from the Cilacap landslide stands at 16, with seven still unaccounted for. Rescuers face difficult conditions, as many of the victims are buried as deep as 25 feet under the debris. Excavators have been brought in to assist the search operations, as shown in footage aired by news channel KompasTV.
Additionally, another landslide occurred in Banjarnegara on Saturday, leading to the deaths of two people, with 27 others reported missing. This disaster has also caused damage to approximately 30 homes and numerous farms in the region.
The onset of the wet season in Southeast Asia began in September and is expected to persist until April, significantly increasing the risk of severe rainfall and flooding in the region, according to the weather agency. This underscores the necessity for ongoing vigilance and preparedness in facing the natural calamities that frequently occur during this period.
The resilience of the Indonesian people in the face of such disasters is commendable, as communities come together to support each other in times of need. Authorities are focused on providing assistance to those affected and finding all missing individuals as they navigate this challenging situation.