Following heavy rainfall in Indonesia’s Java island, a landslide occurred before dawn, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals and leaving 82 individuals unaccounted for. Rescue efforts faced challenges in the form of thick mud as they sought survivors in the affected area.
The continuous downpour had led to overflowing rivers, causing significant damage in Pasir Langu village within the West Bandung district of West Java province. The disaster involved mud, rocks, and trees cascading down the hillsides, engulfing around 34 homes.
Rescue teams were actively searching for the missing 82 residents believed to be trapped under the debris, while 24 individuals were fortunate enough to escape the calamity, as reported by Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency.
In the severely impacted Pasir Kuning hamlet, eight bodies were recovered subsequent to the landslide at 3 a.m., which devastated residences and claimed lives. Live broadcasts captured the frantic efforts of workers and locals as they dug through the mud in Pasir Langu, which had been completely covered by the thick debris.
Teten Ali Mungku Engkun, the head of West Java’s Disaster Management Office, highlighted the ongoing challenges in the search-and-rescue operations due to the unstable ground and persistent heavy rainfall.
In response to the disaster, local authorities promptly assessed the situation and mobilized emergency response teams to the site.
Residents residing within a 100-meter radius of the landslide area were evacuated as a precaution against potential further slope collapses.
Authorities advised individuals living in landslide-prone regions to stay alert and evacuate immediately upon hearing unusual sounds, observing soil movements, or sensing unsafe conditions.
Recent records from the National Disaster Management Agency indicated that in December, Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island, experienced devastating floods and landslides, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities and more than 7,000 injuries.
Indonesia, with its numerous islands and mountainous terrains, witnesses frequent flooding and landslides during the rainy season from October to April, affecting millions of residents.
In a similar incident last January, Central Java province encountered severe flooding and landslides, claiming the lives of over 20 individuals following heavy rains.