Floods and Landslides Kill 21, Rescuers Continue Search

Rescue teams in Indonesia’s Central Java province are working around the clock. Floods and landslides kill 21 people in the province, with several others still missing. Officials warn that more rain is coming, making search efforts even harder.

Heavy downpours triggered disasters in nine villages. Strong currents swept through homes. Mudslides buried houses and roads. Survivors described hearing a loud rumble before everything turned dark.

Floods and Landslides: Search Efforts Face Major Challenges

Workers are digging through thick mud. Broken trees and rocks block access to key areas. Some villages are completely cut off. Rescuers must walk for kilometers because roads are gone.

“The focus is to search for the victims,” said local official Mohammad Yulian Akbar. He confirmed that an emergency has been declared for the next two weeks. More than 200 personnel are involved in the operation.

On Wednesday, search teams found four more bodies, bringing the total to 21 dead. Five people are still missing. Among those recovered was a five-month-old baby. Others were pulled from the remains of a collapsed bridge.

Officials say every hour counts. The longer the search takes, the harder it will be to find survivors.

Villages Turned to Mud and Debris

Streets and rice fields are covered in thick brown sludge. Homes are buried under layers of mud. A café and two houses in Petungkriyono, a resort area, were completely buried. In another village, entire roads vanished. Many families also lost everything.

A survivor from Pekalongan described the moment the landslide hit. “I heard a loud noise. Then suddenly, the house was shaking. Everything went dark,” he said.

Homes, Bridges, and a Dam Destroyed

Authorities say at least 25 homes were damaged. Three key bridges collapsed, cutting off access between villages. A dam was also destroyed. Many areas remain without power.

Rescue teams are using heavy machinery to clear paths, but the work is slow. Rain and fog make things even harder. Officials warn that more landslides could happen.

Floods and Landslides: Government Sends Aid, But Many Still in Shelters

Nearly 300 people have been forced to leave their homes. They are staying in temporary shelters set up by the government. Food and water supplies are being delivered, but conditions are tough.

A mother of two, now in a shelter, said she lost everything. “I don’t know what to do next. Our home is gone,” she said. Many are also waiting for news about missing loved ones.

Authorities say efforts will continue, but conditions remain unpredictable. Some areas are too dangerous for rescuers to enter.

Weather Worsens the Situation

Indonesia’s rainy season lasts from October to March. Landslides and floods are common. Poor drainage and deforestation make the problem worse. Experts say disasters like this will keep happening unless long-term solutions are found. Every year, thousands are affected.

Last December, flash floods killed ten people in Java. This time, officials fear the numbers could rise.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is urging people to stay alert. More heavy rain is expected in the coming days. The risk of new landslides remains high.

For now, rescuers are doing all they can. But time is running out.