JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Torrential rains on Java Island have triggered devastating landslides that have resulted in the death of two individuals and left 21 others unaccounted for, according to officials on Friday. Rescue teams are actively conducting searches for those reported missing after the disaster struck on Thursday evening in Central Java province.
The heavy rainfall over the past several days is cited as the cause behind the landslides that impacted numerous homes across three villages. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, highlighted the challenges faced by the search and rescue teams due to the unstable ground conditions. Despite these difficulties, efforts to locate victims were continued early Friday morning, utilizing heavy equipment to expedite the operation.
Footage released by the National Search and Rescue Agency depicted rescuers diligently searching through the debris for victims trapped under collapsed structures. The rescue operations employ a mix of heavy machinery, extraction tools, and manual instruments to tackle the complicated areas affected by the landslide.
This incident underscores a recurrent issue in Indonesia, where heavy seasonal rains from October to March often lead to flooding and landslides. The country, an archipelago of 17,000 islands, has millions of residents living in mountainous regions or near fertile floodplains, making them particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters.
This is not the first instance of tragedy resulting from extreme weather conditions in Central Java. Just in January, a significant flooding event claimed the lives of over 20 individuals who were swept away in similar landslides after relentless rainfall in the province.
The ongoing search efforts reflect the urgency of the situation, as families await news about their loved ones who remain missing. The deployment of heavy machinery signifies the determination of authorities to recover victims swiftly and safely, even amidst hazardous conditions.
As the search continues, the community's resilience and the effectiveness of the rescue operations will be pivotal in addressing the aftermath of this tragic event on Java Island.
