JAKARTA, Indonesia — On Wednesday, Indonesian rescue teams resumed their efforts in searching for individuals still unaccounted for following catastrophic floods and landslides that struck Java, resulting in the discovery of four additional bodies and raising the confirmed death toll to 21.
The extreme weather conditions, characterized by torrential rainfall on Monday, unleashed torrents from overflowing rivers that devastated nine villages in the Pekalongan regency of Central Java. The intense rainfall also triggered landslides that engulfed mountain hamlets. Images and videos shared by the National Search and Rescue Agency depict rescuers ardently excavating areas where previously fertile rice fields and roadways have transformed into a chaotic landscape of thick, brown mud, rocks, and uprooted trees.
Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, reported that the flooding was responsible for a landslide that buried two homes and a café in the Petungkriyono resort area. The series of calamities collectively destroyed 25 homes, a dam, and three major bridges that connect local communities in Pekalongan. As a result, at least 13 individuals sustained injuries, and nearly 300 people found refuge in temporary shelters established by the government.
The search and rescue operations faced hindrances due to adverse weather conditions, as mudslides and difficult terrain forced a halt to efforts on Tuesday afternoon. Heavy rains and dense fog created hazardous conditions in the affected river areas, complicating the work for rescuers.
When operations resumed on Wednesday, rescuers scoured both rivers and the debris of heavily affected villages in search of bodies and survivors, with a particular focus on the devastated Kasimpar village, according to Budiono, the head of a local rescue office. Rescuers managed to retrieve three bodies caked in mud, including that of a 5-month-old baby, in a section of Petungkriyono where a significant amount of mud and rocks had buried two residences and a café. Another body was recovered from beneath a collapsed bridge near the river in Kasimpar village. Currently, reports indicate that five individuals remain missing.
In addition to the events in Central Java, other provinces have also experienced similar landslides and floods. For instance, a landslide in Denpasar on Bali, a popular tourist destination, destroyed five houses, leading to the deaths of four individuals and leaving one person unaccounted for on Monday.
The seasonal rainfall from October to March often brings heavy precipitation that can lead to persistent flooding and landslides across Indonesia, an archipelago comprising around 17,000 islands, many of which host communities situated in mountainous regions or adjacent to flood-prone plains.
Landslides, which can be triggered suddenly or over time, may result from heavy rainfall, erosion, or changes affecting the stability of slopes. The weight of rainwater can destabilize hillsides, while the steepness of slopes or erosion at the base can heighten the risk of landslides. Additionally, the dynamics of nearby bodies of water and vibrations from human activities, such as mining or vehicular traffic, can also contribute to landslide occurrences. The types of soil and rock in an area play a crucial role in determining how much moisture the ground can retain before succumbing to weakness and collapse.
Research indicates that with the progression of climate change and an increase in rainfall, the frequency of landslides may likely escalate in the near future.
