JAKARTA, Indonesia — Rescuers in Indonesia have uncovered two additional bodies during their ongoing recovery efforts following the recent floods and landslides on Java, raising the official death toll to 19.
The flooding, caused by heavy rains that fell on Monday, devastated nine villages in Pekalongan regency, located in Central Java. Rivers overflowing their banks resulted in torrents of water sweeping through houses, while landslides struck mountainside communities. Distressing images shared by the National Search and Rescue Agency captured rescuers urgently digging through mounds of thick mud, which replaced once-familiar roads and terraced rice fields, as they worked to locate the missing.
According to Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, a landslide triggered by the flooding resulted in the destruction of two homes and a café in the Petungkriyono resort area. In total, the disasters have obliterated 25 houses, one dam, and three crucial bridges supporting connectivity among villages in Pekalongan. At least 13 individuals sustained injuries, and nearly 300 residents were compelled to seek refuge in temporary shelters established by the government.
The search and rescue operation faced significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions, debris, and difficult terrain, resulting in a suspension of activities on Tuesday afternoon. Heavy rain and dense fog rendered the affected areas treacherous for rescue teams attempting to navigate the scene.
On Wednesday, local rescuers continued their efforts in Kasimpar village, which was severely hit. Budiono, the director of a local rescue office, indicated that the team was scouring waterways and the debris-strewn landscape for both bodies and survivors. In their pursuit, they recovered two mud-encrusted bodies in the Petungkriyono area, where a substantial amount of mud and rocks had buried several structures. Seven individuals are still reported as missing.
Flooding and landslides have also impacted various other regions, with Muhari noting an incident on Monday in Denpasar, Bali, where a landslide struck, affecting five homes, resulting in four fatalities and leaving one person unaccounted for.
From October to March, Indonesia’s heavy seasonal rains routinely lead to severe flooding and landslides. This archipelago, consisting of 17,000 islands, is home to millions residing in mountainous terrains or near fertile flood-prone areas.
A landslide is defined by the British Geological Survey as the movement of materials—whether rock, earth, or debris—down a slope. These events can occur rapidly or may unfold slowly, often triggered by rainfall, erosion, or alterations to the material comprising the slope. The addition of moisture increases the load on an incline, further destabilizing it. Factors such as the slope’s steepness, erosion along its base, nearby water movements, or vibrations from earthquakes can all heighten the risk of landslides. The composition of the terrain and the types of soil and rock also play a critical role in determining how much water it can absorb before failing.
Recent research suggests that escalating rainfall due to climate change could lead to a rise in the frequency of landslides.
