As of noon, on Friday on 23rd February at least seven people are confirmed dead and 13 others missing after a landslide in Central Java. Five people are injured and are being treated at hospitals. A total of 245 people have been displaced from their homes, following landslides caused by two weeks of heavy rain.
The affected area of the Brebes Regency in Indonesia’s Central Java has been declared a disaster, but more rain is expected. A joint task force involving 550 people from the agency’s provincial branch, the police and military force, the National Search and Rescue Agency, volunteers as well as members of the surrounding community are conducting search, rescue and evacuation operations.
“The rainfall will determine how the search and rescue operations and evacuation process continue. If it gets dark, they don’t have to push themselves because it will be dangerous for the officers,” spokesman Dr Sutopo explained.
Landslides are common in Indonesia, especially between October and April when the country experiences heavy rainfall.
Image for illustration purposes.
