JAKARTA, Indonesia — Search and rescue operations in Indonesia have led to the recovery of at least 17 bodies following devastating flash floods and landslides that struck several hilly areas on Java Island, according to local authorities on Tuesday. Reports indicate that eight individuals remain unaccounted for.
Heavy rainfall on Monday resulted in rivers overflowing, inundating nine villages within Pekalongan regency in Central Java. The downpour caused mud, rocks, and trees to cascade down mountains, impacting the low-lying hamlets. Bergas Catursasi, the head of the local Disaster Management Agency, confirmed the grim findings, noting they had located 17 corpses in the severely affected village of Petungkriyono. Additionally, they were actively searching for eight missing residents. Catursasi reported that eleven individuals received medical attention after sustaining injuries while escaping the disaster.
Footage from the scene highlighted the efforts of police, military personnel, and rescue teams who utilized excavators and manual labor to comb through the wreckage in the afflicted villages. Some rescuers transported victims on makeshift bamboo stretchers or used body bags to carry the deceased to ambulances and trucks for further assistance.
“Adverse weather conditions, mudslides, and challenging terrain complicated our rescue efforts,” stated Catursasi, explaining that individuals who were fishing or finding refuge from the rain were caught in the floodwaters.
The search was temporarily halted Tuesday afternoon due to persistent heavy rain and dense fog. It is scheduled to resume early Wednesday, as noted by Budiono, the chief of the provincial Search and Rescue Office.
Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, revealed that the flash floods swept away not only villagers but also vehicles traversing through the most affected areas, triggering a landslide that buried two houses. Moreover, the flooding damaged two key bridges that connect various villages in the Pekalongan district.
In a separate incident on Monday, a landslide occurred in Denpasar on the popular island of Bali, resulting in four fatalities and one additional person missing, while three others sustained injuries. Reports of flooding have also emerged from numerous provinces throughout the country.
Indonesia, an archipelago home to approximately 17,000 islands, often faces severe flooding and landslides during the heavy seasonal rains that occur from October to March. Many residents live in hilly regions or close to fertile floodplains, making them vulnerable to these natural disasters.
Last month, a combination of landslides, flash floods, and strong winds impacted Sukabumi district in West Java, leading to 12 fatalities. Additionally, a November incident involving a landslide and flash floods in North Sumatra province resulted in 20 deaths and two individuals reported missing. A separate incident in the region involved a tourist bus caught in a landslide, claiming nine lives.
