PEKALONGAN, Jan 22 (Alliance News): Hundreds of rescuers are battling through mud and debris in Central Java, Indonesia, following a devastating landslide that claimed 19 lives and left seven people missing.
Triggered by intense rainfall on Monday near Pekalongan city, the landslide collapsed bridges, buried cars, and destroyed homes.
The worst-hit area was Kasimpar village, where a coffee shop sheltering people was buried under the rubble.
“The joint search and rescue team managed to recover two more bodies on Wednesday morning, raising the death toll to 19,” said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
Thirteen people were injured, and efforts continue with heavy machinery and around 200 personnel to clear access for rescuers.
Local official Mohammad Yulian Akbar declared a two-week emergency in the district, adding that intermittent heavy rain has complicated the search operations. A forecast of moderate rain over the next three days poses additional challenges, with risks of further landslides and flooding.
Indonesia faces frequent landslides during the rainy season, typically from November to April. However, the increasing impact of climate change has intensified storms, flash floods, and other natural disasters, leading to year-round vulnerability.
