Most Of Indonesia At Risk Of Land Slides

JAKARTA : A recent landslide in Central Java that has left at least 39 people dead has highlighted Indonesia’s vulnerability to fatal landslides, as well as the government’s inability to adequately deal with chronic catastrophes, according to The Jakarta Globe.

 

Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported on Sunday evening that 39 people are confirmed dead after heavy rain on Friday triggered a landslide in Jemblung, Banjarnegara district, Central Java, burying dozens of homes.

More than a dozen of people are injured and more than 70 others remain missing, while a total of 577 people have been displaced from their homes and are now staying in temporary shelters, the BNPB says.

“Families of identified victims have taken [their relatives’ remains] and held a burial for them.

A police forensic team are still identifying others,” BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a press statement on Sunday.  “Refugees urgently need food, blankets, sanitary kits, medicines and clothing — children’s clothing especially.”

A joint team of police, military, BNPB officers and volunteers — 2,000 personnel in total — had been dispatched to search for the missing victims, he added. 

The Ministry of Public Works also has sent in heavy equipment expected to help victim search.

President Joko Widodo visited the site around midday on Sunday. He also visited a shelter for displaced victims and a local community health center treating those who are injured.

Officials blame conversion of lands into farms and illegal logging in Banjarnegara for one of the worst landslide disasters recorded in Indonesia over the past few years.