Disaster management authorities in Indonesia are still desperately searching for survivors after a massive landslide struck in a remote village in Ponorogo Regency, East Java, on 01 April, 2017.
As of 03 April, National Board for Disaster Management (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana – BNPB) said that the bodies of 3 victims had been found but a possible 25 people were still missing.
The landslide occurred in Banaran Village, Pulung District. BNPB reported that, of the 35 families or 128 inhabitants living in the affected area, 100 people managed to escape without harm. BNPD pointed out that figures may change as further assessments are carried out.
At least 20 people were injured in the landslide, one of them seriously. Around 30 houses have been damaged or destroyed. A total of 300 people, including some from neighbouring communities, have been evacuated to safer areas.
Heavy rain began to fall on 31 March and residents were reportedly warned of the threat of landslides, with some evacuating their homes. However, many returned the next day when the landslide struck.
A total of 1,655 personnel from disaster authorities, military, police, NGOs and volunteers are working in the affected area, searching for survivors. However, the search has been extremely hard going. Landlisde rubble and debris is 20 metres deep in some parts. Further heavy rain on 02 April caused search operations to be suspended temporarily.
In a 24 hour period from 02 to 03 April, Cilacap town (around 350 km west of Banaran) recorded 103 mm of rain and Tretes weather station (about 100 km east) recorded 73 mm.
Images below courtesy of BNPB:
Social Media
Drone longsor Ponorogo. Begitu panjang dan luasnya daerah terjangan longsor. Tidak mudah untuk evakuasi korban. @jokowi @Pak_JK @gusmusgusmu pic.twitter.com/ssfE596y4N
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) April 2, 2017
Infografis longsor Ponorogo. Penyebab, dampak dan upayanya. Tim SAR masih melakukan pencarian 26 korban tertimbun longsor. @Pak_JK @jokowi pic.twitter.com/HtRCwZjZtL
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) April 2, 2017
Tim gabungan bergerak cepat tangani longsor Ponorogo. 3 alat berat telah tiba di TKP. Evakuasi akan dilanjutkan pagi ini. @jokowi @Pak_JK pic.twitter.com/VG36E7pFJB
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) April 1, 2017
