Indonesia – Deadly Landslide in Sumedang, West Java

Two people died after flooding and landslides struck in Sumedang Regency in West Java, Indonesia.

Indonesia’s disaster agency BNPB (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana) reported that heavy rain from 25 January caused banks along the Cipicung river to collapse in Sumedang Selatan. The victims were working on repairing the embankment when part of the hillside above them fell away due to the heavy rain. Two people survived and were taken to hospital.

Heavy rain also caused flooding in nearby Bandung Regency. Flooding began in the regency around 23 January, affecting 18,000 people in the districts of Dayeuhkolot, Bojongsoang, Baleendah, Rancaekek and Majalaya.

BNPB reported on 28 January that areas of Ciparay district have also been flooded and that 59,917 people have now been affected and 3,882 displaced. Almost 14,000 houses and public buildings have been flooded, along with 278 hectares of rice fields. As of 28 January, flooding remained in 6 sub-districts in the area, with water levels as deep as 1 metre.

Indonesia’s Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned of further heavy rainfall in areas of Java and Sumatra islands.