Rescue operations continue in Central Java, Indonesia, after devastating landslides claimed at least 30 lives, the country’s disaster mitigation agency reported on Friday. Torrential rains last week triggered landslides in Cilacap city and Banjarnegara region, leaving 21 people still missing.
In Banjarnegara, the worst-hit area, rescuers recovered seven more bodies on Thursday, bringing the death toll there to 10, while 18 people remain unaccounted for. Dozens of homes were damaged, seven people injured, and more than 900 residents evacuated. Around 700 personnel, including police and military, are conducting searches with the aid of excavators amid difficult conditions.
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In Cilacap, the death toll rose to 20 after rescuers found four more bodies this week. Three people remain missing, and nearly 400 residents have been evacuated. Officials warned that ongoing rains and unstable terrain continue to pose risks of additional landslides and flooding.
Indonesia’s wet season, which began in September and lasts until April, has been intensified by climate change, leading to heavier rainfall, flash floods, and stronger winds. These conditions contributed to similar disasters in Papua, where flash floods and landslides claimed at least 23 lives.
Authorities have extended search operations to next week, urging residents to stay vigilant and heed evacuation orders as rescue teams continue their work.
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