80 Tradis! Lost, 400 Displaced Due to Landslide in West Bandung

BANDUNG - The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team continued the second day of the search for 80 landslide victims in Kampung Pasir Kuning, Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua District, West Bandung Regency.

Head of the Bandung SAR Office Ade Dian, said the temporary suspension was carried out to evaluate together all elements involved, ranging from local governments, the National Police, to volunteers.

"Today is the second day of the SAR operation. In the field there is a SAR Mission Coordinator who coordinates various elements present. The information we also received, there are still about 80 residents who are declared missing," said Ade, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 25.

Based on previous data, his party noted that as many as twelve bags of the bodies of victims of the landslide disaster had been handed over to the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) post for identification.

Meanwhile, more than 30 houses were affected from a total of 34 families, while the number of refugees is estimated to reach 300 to 400 people due to the disaster.

"Meanwhile, what we get, the number of victims affected is 113 people from 34 families. That's the initial information. Then from the incident we were able to save 23 personnel," he said.

Regarding the search method, he explained that the use of heavy equipment was still adjusting to the field conditions dominated by landslide material in the form of soil mixed with water making the terrain very soft.

"Heavy equipment has been prepared. If possible and safe, we will immediately lower it. However, if it is not possible, the search will be done manually," he explained.

The main obstacle during the search process was the unpredictable weather, with moderate to heavy rain intensity, and the unstable conditions of the landslide material, which endangered the rescue team.

"First, we are very dependent on the weather, hopefully today it will be better. Second is the condition of the landslide which is still in the form of mud so it makes it difficult to work," he explained.

From the results of the assessment, the thickness of the landslide deposit is estimated to be around five meters and covers an area of approximately 100 meters, with a distance from the crown of the landslide to the end point reaching around three kilometers.

He also said that to support the smooth search, the West Java Provincial Government plans to modify the weather in the affected areas.

"The Governor said that starting today, weather modifications will be carried out. Hopefully this will be effective so that the search process can run more smoothly," he concluded.