Indonesia – Floods and Landslides in Java Leave 15 Dead and 50,000 Affected

Flooding and landslides have affected wide areas of the island of Java in Indonesia since 22 February, 2018. At least 15 people have died in 2 separate landslides. Meanwhile widespread flooding has affected over 50,000 people with more than 10,000 homes damaged.

Central Java Landslides

The death toll from a landslide in Central Java in Indonesia has increased to 11, with 7 people still missing and 4 survivors found. Triggered by days of heavy rain, the landslide struck in Pasir Panjang, Brebes Regency on Thursday 22 February, 2018.

Indonesia’s disaster management authority, BNPB, said that the slide was about 1 km long and 120 metres wide. As of 25 February, a 400 strong SAR team was still searching through the rubble and along rivers and streams in the area.

Another landslide occurred on 23 February in Purbalingga Regency. BNPB reports that 4 people were killed and 6 injured.

landslide SAR team in Brebes, Indonesia, February 2018. Photo: BNPB

Central Java Floods

In addition to the landslide in Brebes, flooding has affected around 20,000 people in Brebes and neighbouring Cirebon Regency, as well as disrupting road and rail transportation.

On 23 February, heavy rainfall has caused flooding in four villages in Cepu District, Blora Regency, leaving some areas under flood water 50cm deep, according to local disaster agencies. Over 800 people were affected and 17 hectares of farmland damaged.

Flooding has also affected parts of Cilacap Regency, where almost 500 homes have been submerged in Wanareja District, affecting over 1,600 people and damaging crops and agriculture.

West Java Floods

Heavy rain caused flooding in Bandung Regency, West Java, on 22 February. Local disaster agencies said almost 10,000 houses were damaged and around 30,000 people affected in the seven districts of Baleenda, Dayeuhkolot, Bojongsoang, Majalaya, Paseh, Ibun and Solokan Jeruk. Schools and religious buildings were also damaged.

In Pangandaran Regency, flood water up to 2.8 metres was seen along low lying areas of the Citanduy River. Almost 100 people have been displaced and 32 homes severely damaged.

East Java Floods

Intense rainfall caused flooding in Situbondo regency, East Java on 24 February. Around 460 homes have been damaged and 2,300 people affected. Some areas were under 50 cm of flood water.

Flood Summary

Last updated: February 27, 2018
Event
Java, Indonesia, February 2018
Date
February 22, 2018
Type
Landslide, River flood
Cause
Long-term rainfall

Locations

A - Pasir Panjang (Indonesia)
B - Brebes
C - Purbalingga
D - Cirebon
E - Cepu District, Blora Regency
F - Wanarej, Cilacap Regency
G - Bandung
H - Pangandaran

Magnitude

Rainfall level
70 mm in 24 hours
Bandung, West Java - February 22 to February 23, 2018
Rainfall level
66 mm in 24 hours
Cirebon, West Java - February 22 to February 23, 2018
Rainfall level
53 mm in 24 hours
Juanda, East Java - February 21 to February 22, 2018
Rainfall level
98 mm in 24 hours
Tretes, East Java - February 21 to February 22, 2018
Rainfall level
99 mm in 24 hours
Jatiwangi - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
70 mm in 24 hours
Tretes, East Java - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
59 mm in 24 hours
Ahmad Yani, Semarang, Central Java - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
67 mm in 24 hours
Cilacap - February 19 to February 20, 2018
River level
Overflowing
Citanduy River, Pangandaran - February 22 to February 25, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
15 people
Central Java - February 22 to February 27, 2018
11 died in a landslide in Pasir Panjang, Brebes Regency and 4 in a landslide in Purbalingga Regency
Missing people
7 people
Central Java - February 22 to February 23, 2018
Affected
50,000
Java, Indonesia - February 21 to February 27, 2018
Homes damaged
10,000
Java, Indonesia - February 21 to February 27, 2018