Update 16 December 2014
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) have confirmed that the death toll from the landslide disaster now stands at 56, with a further 52 people still missing. As many as 1,145 people have been displaced by the landslide.
Original Report 14 December 2014
According to the latest reports from the Indonesian government, at least 32 people have died as a result of the landslide that struck in the regency of Banjanegara in Central Java, Indonesia, during the evening of 12 December 2014.
The landslide was caused by 2 days of torrential rain and flooding in the hills around the small village of Jemblung in the district of Karangkobar. Eye witness reports say that the rain caused a flood of mud and water to cascade down the wooded mountain side. Some victims were found under mud as deep as 1 metre.
Beberapa korban jenasah ditemukan di bawah timbunan tanah setebal 1 meter. pic.twitter.com/hR8VjZ5bkC
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) December 14, 2014
The landslide damaged or destroyed over 100 houses in the area, and over 400 people have been evacuated to temporary accommodation.
At least 76 people are still missing in the landslide. According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana / BNPB) much of the ground in the area of the landslide is still unstable and has caused problems for the search and rescue operations involving over 2,000 staff from military, police and BNPB. Only some areas are stable enough to use heavy digging equipment.
Alat berat belum memungkinkan digunakan untuk evakuasi di areal ini. pic.twitter.com/qxak9GVwYK
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) December 14, 2014
November to May is considered to be the rainy season in Indonesia.
