Flash floods and landslides in Indonesia's main island Java recover 17 bodies

Flash floods and landslides in Indonesia's main island Java recover 17 bodies

Jakarta, Indonesia — Flash floods and landslides on Indonesia's main island Java have resulted in the recovery of 17 bodies, many of whom were trapped under rubble or swept away by the raging floodwaters. Authorities reported on Tuesday that 8 people are still missing.

The heavy rainfall on Monday caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding nine villages in the Pekalongan district of Central Java, as mud, rocks, and trees tumbled down on hillside villages. Bergas Catursari, head of the local disaster management agency, reported that by Tuesday, rescue teams had recovered at least 17 bodies from the worst-hit village of Petungkriyono. He also mentioned that rescuers are continuing their search for the 8 missing villagers. Eleven injured people have been rushed to nearby hospitals.

Television reports on Tuesday showed police, soldiers, and rescuers using excavators, farming equipment, and their bare hands to sift through the debris searching for the dead and missing. Meanwhile, rescuers transported the injured in bamboo stretchers or body bags to ambulances or trucks. Catursari said, "Bad weather, mudslides, and rugged terrain hampered the rescue operation."

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, stated that the flash floods swept away villagers and passing vehicles, and the landslides buried two houses. The disaster also destroyed two major bridges in the Pekalongan district, cutting off access between villages.

Indonesia, an archipelago with 17,000 islands, experiences seasonal rainfall from October to March, which frequently causes flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas or fertile floodplains.

Last month, a landslide, flash floods, and strong winds hit the Sukabumi district of West Java, killing 12 people. In November, a landslide and flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in North Sumatra province resulted in 20 deaths and 2 missing persons.