Search operations have recommenced in Indonesia’s West Java province following a devastating landslide that claimed at least 10 lives and left 80 individuals missing. The catastrophe occurred early Saturday in Pasir Langu village, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Jakarta, after torrential rainfall saturated the region.
Emergency response teams faced significant challenges throughout the weekend as continuing precipitation and unstable ground conditions prevented the deployment of heavy excavation equipment. According to Kompas TV reports, rescue personnel have been forced to rely on manual search methods amid the treacherous terrain.
The meteorological agency has issued extended weather advisories, forecasting potentially persistent rainfall across West Java and surrounding regions for the coming week. This warning raises concerns about further geological instability in the area.
Local resident Dedi Kurniawan, 36, described the event as unprecedented in his community. “While minor flooding from nearby rivers occasionally occurs, this massive landslide originated directly from the forested areas,” he told Reuters.
The landslide has triggered widespread flooding across multiple West Java districts, including portions of the capital Jakarta. Numerous residents from severely affected zones have been compelled to evacuate to higher ground and safer locations.
This tragedy echoes similar devastation that occurred just two months prior when cyclone-induced flooding and landslides on Sumatra island resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, widespread property destruction, and the displacement of over one million residents, highlighting Indonesia’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.