Landslide In Sumedang, 11 People Died

JAKARTA - Landslides in Cihanjuang Village, Cimanggung District, Sumedang Regency, West Java Province, occurred again on Saturday, January 9, at around 19.30 WIB. Previously, landslides had occurred around the area at 16.00 local time.

Reporting from the BNPB statement received by VOI, Sunday, January 10, the Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Raditya Jati said the first landslide was triggered by high rainfall and unstable soil conditions.

Subsequent landslides occurred while officers were still evacuating victims around the first landslide area. Temporary data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sumedang Regency as of Sunday 10, January, in the early hours of morning, recorded 18 people injured and 11 deaths.

Of the number of deaths, the Danramil of Cimanggung District Kapt Inf Setio Pribadi and the Head of the Emergency and Logistics Section of the BPBD Sumedang Regency were also victims. At that time they were on location to respond to the first avalanche. Meanwhile, based on information from BPBD, it is estimated that many people are still buried in further landslides.

Monitoring of the local BPBD for follow-up victims from joint officers who were conducting the evacuation and residents watching around the location. As for material loss, temporary data recorded 1 bridge and several roads cut off due to landslides.

The BNPB Operations Control Center received the latest information on Saturday, January 9, at around 23.30 WIB the rain had stopped.

Until last night, the joint team was still carrying out the search process by emphasizing team security and safety. The current urgent need is heavy equipment to move landslide materials.

The intensity of high rains on Saturday, January 9, caused catastrophic events in several points in West Java, such as in Garut and other areas in Sumedang.

Sumedang District is an area with a moderate to high potential landslide hazard. Based on InaRISK's analysis, 26 sub-districts were identified as potential hazards under this category, while the hazard area was around 60,872 hectares.

Judging from the BMKG Info weather forecast, Sunday, January 10 and tomorrow, Cimanggung sub-district still has the potential to rain with light intensity to thunderstorms. Meanwhile, the West Java province has the potential for heavy rain to be accompanied by lightning and strong winds.

BNPB hopes that the community can remain vigilant and alert in anticipating the impact of hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods, landslides and strong winds. Preparation for yourself, family and community is urgently needed so that the impact of casualties can be avoided as early as possible, especially in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to the peak of the rainy season in January to February 2021, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reminded the Provincial BPBD to carry out early warning and preparedness efforts, especially at district and city BPBDs.

BNPB wrote to Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) in 34 provinces to continue to coordinate with BPBD at district and city levels. This early warning and preparedness is based on forecast data for the potential for floods and landslides in January 2021 from BMKG, in collaboration with the Ministry of PUPR, BIG and PVMBG.