Torrential rains have triggered a series of devastating landslides on Indonesia's Java island, resulting in a tragic loss of life and a desperate search for survivors.
Rescue Efforts Amidst the Rubble
The disaster struck on Thursday evening, with landslides hitting dozens of houses across three villages in Central Java province after several days of heavy rainfall. Officials from the National Disaster Management Agency confirmed that the event has killed two people and left 21 others missing.
In an official statement, agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari detailed the challenges faced by the search and rescue teams. "The unstable ground conditions posed a challenge for the search and rescue team in searching for victims during the golden hour," Muhari stated. "Nevertheless, the joint team continued their search and rescue efforts on Friday morning."
A Race Against Time and Nature
Footage released by the National Search and Rescue Agency shows the scale of the operation, with rescuers combing through the rubble of destroyed homes. To speed up the painstaking process, heavy equipment has been deployed alongside extraction tools and manual equipment to access difficult areas.
This tragic event highlights a recurring seasonal danger for the archipelago nation. Heavy seasonal rain from about October to March frequently causes flooding and landslides in Indonesia, where millions live in vulnerable mountainous regions or near fertile floodplains.
The region has suffered similar fates before. In a grim reminder of the inherent risks, more than 20 residents were killed in Central Java province back in January after being swept away by floods and landslides following torrential downpours.
