Landslide in Indonesia: Rescuers Search for Survivors
Tragedy Strikes Pekalongan City
Hundreds of rescuers were searching through thick mud and debris to find survivors Wednesday after a rain-triggered landslide in Indonesia killed at least 19 people and left seven missing.
Intense Rainfall Triggers Disaster
Intense rainfall in a mountainous area near Pekalongan city in Central Java province sparked the landslide on Monday, collapsing bridges and burying cars and houses.
Worst Hit Area: Kasimpar Village
The worst hit area was Kasimpar village according to a local official, with survivors recounting the horror of the landslide crashing into a coffee shop where people were sheltering from the rain.
Survivor’s Account
“Suddenly there was a sound of an explosion from inside the cafe. So the land exploded. Suddenly it all destroyed, everything in the cafe was rolled up,“ Nasiri, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP while lying on a stretcher at a health centre.
“When I woke up, I was around 200 metres from the place, rolled up with rock, soil, water.”
Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescuers found two bodies Wednesday morning, raising the toll to 19, said Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
Search and rescue agency Basarnas said in a statement that 13 people were also injured.
Heavy machinery was deployed to clear road access for search teams and around 200 rescue personnel have been sent to help the rescue effort, local official Mohammad Yulian Akbar said.
“The focus is to search for the victims,“ he said, adding that the local government had declared an emergency in the district for two weeks.
Landslide-Prone Area
Police, soldiers and volunteers have joined the search alongside rescue workers, which is taking place around 90 kilometres (60 miles) west of the city of Semarang.
But efforts were intermittently suspended Tuesday as heavy rain continued to pound the area.
The weather forecast for the next three days suggests moderate rain that could “cause floods, flash floods and landslides”, warned Muhari on Tuesday.
Indonesia’s Landslide Problem
Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April.
In November, flooding triggered by intense rains in western Indonesia killed 27 people.
But some disasters caused by adverse weather have taken place outside that season in recent years. Climate change has also increased the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and stronger gusts.
Recent Disasters
In May, at least 67 people died after heavy rains caused flash floods in West Sumatra, pushing a mixture of ash, sand, and pebbles from the eruption of Mount Marapi into residential areas.
Conclusion
The landslide in Pekalongan city is a devastating reminder of the dangers of natural disasters in Indonesia. As rescue efforts continue, the country’s authorities must prioritize disaster preparedness and mitigation to minimize the impact of such tragedies.
FAQs
Q: How many people have been killed in the landslide?
A: At least 19 people have been killed, with seven still missing.
Q: What caused the landslide?
A: Intense rainfall in a mountainous area near Pekalongan city triggered the landslide.
Q: How many rescue personnel are involved in the search effort?
A: Around 200 rescue personnel have been sent to help the rescue effort.
Q: What is the weather forecast for the next three days?
A: Moderate rain is expected, which could cause floods, flash floods and landslides.