Landslide and sudden floods in West Bandung leave many people missing

International Desk, PNN

At least seven people have died in a severe landslide in West Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia. Local officials report that many people are still missing. Rescue teams are intensively working to recover those missing.

Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s Disaster Management Agency, said on Saturday that the number of missing people is significant. “Today, the search and rescue operations are being conducted with the highest priority,” he added.

Local media reported that the landslide occurred early Saturday morning in Pasirlangu village, West Bandung. A massive flow of water and mud descended from the slopes of Mount Burangrang, striking houses where villagers were asleep. At least 30 houses were damaged or buried under the debris.

Local police reported that the landslide was accompanied by sudden flooding. Residents heard loud noises during the incident. The military, regional disaster management agencies, volunteers, and local residents are working together in the rescue efforts.

Authorities have ordered residents in high-risk areas to evacuate due to fears of further accidents. Preliminary assessments suggest that around 30 hectares of land were affected by the landslide.

Meanwhile, the country’s meteorological department has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall in West Java. Additionally, rising water levels in the Citarum and Cibitung rivers have caused flooding in several sub-districts of Karawang. Residents near the rivers have been advised to move to safe locations.

The heavy rains have also forced hundreds of people to leave their homes and seek shelter in various parts of East Jakarta.

It is worth noting that in the previous month, several provinces in Indonesia experienced fatal landslides and floods, resulting in over a thousand deaths. Experts believe that environmental degradation, deforestation, and climate change are increasing the risk of natural disasters in the country day by day.