At least two people have been confirmed dead and 21 others remain missing after a series of landslides triggered by days of torrential rainfall struck Indonesia’s Java Island, officials announced on Friday. Search and rescue teams are continuing to comb through debris in the affected areas.
According to authorities, persistent heavy rains caused landslides that swept through three villages in Central Java Province on Thursday night, damaging dozens of homes. National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said unstable ground conditions made overnight rescue efforts difficult.
“Loose soil presented major challenges during the golden hour, but joint rescue teams resumed operations early Friday with heavy machinery to accelerate the search,” Muhari said.
Footage shared by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency showed teams digging through collapsed structures using a combination of heavy equipment, extraction tools, and manual methods to reach areas inaccessible to machines.
Indonesia frequently experiences severe flooding and landslides during the rainy season, which typically lasts from October to March. Millions of residents live in mountainous regions or along fertile river systems, making them especially vulnerable.
Earlier this year, more than 20 people were killed in Central Java following similar weather-related disasters.
Previous incidents highlight escalating risks
In a separate disaster earlier this week, at least 17 people were found dead and eight others remained missing after flash floods and landslides devastated several hillside villages in Pekalongan Regency, also in Central Java.
Authorities said torrential rains on Monday caused rivers to overflow, sending walls of mud, rocks, and uprooted trees crashing through nine villages. Rescue teams used excavators, farming tools, and their bare hands as they worked through deep mud and debris to recover bodies and search for survivors. Eleven injured residents were transported to nearby hospitals.
“Harsh weather, continued mudslides, and difficult terrain severely hampered rescue operations,” said Bergas Catursasi, head of the local disaster agency. Many victims were swept away while sheltering from heavy rain or fishing along riverbanks.
With the rainy season still underway, officials warn that communities in high-risk areas must remain vigilant as Indonesia continues to face recurring climate-driven disasters.
