10 Bodies Found, Banjarnegara Landslides Eat Many Victims

SAR operations at the landslide location in Pandanarum Village, Pandanarum District, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, (doc BNPB)

The joint search and rescue (SAR) team again found the bodies of seven landslide victims in Pandanarum Village, Pandanarum District, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, on Thursday, November 20. With this latest discovery, the number of victims who died increased to 10 people, while 18 others are still being searched.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, on Friday, November 21, said that landslides were triggered by high intensity and long duration rain.

"This condition is exacerbated by the presence of large springs and cracks in the hilly structure, triggering a large landslide that hit residential areas," said Abdul.

Reports of the situation as of 19.00 WIB recorded a fairly wide impact of damage, including 10 people who died, 7 residents were injured, 48 houses collapsed or were missing, 195 houses were affected, and 934 people were displaced. The survivors are now scattered in a number of refugee camps supported by the local government, BNPB, and volunteers.

A total of 700 joint personnel from Basarnas, TNI, Polri, BPBD, volunteers, and other elements were deployed to speed up searches in three main sectors. Operations are strengthened by sniffer dogs (K-9), heavy equipment, alkons, and other evacuation equipment.

To optimize the search, at least 12 excavators, 12 alkons, and two units of HU tanks were moved at the location. The handling of large puddles that hinder the evacuation process continues.

On the other hand, the Tagana public kitchen has distributed food to residents and SAR officers. The logistics warehouse is centered at Pandanarum Junior High School to accelerate the distribution of aid. Health services and psychosocial assistance are still provided, especially for vulnerable groups and students.

The search operation in the field faces obstacles in the form of potential subsequent landslides due to rain, large puddles, and springs that continue to flow in affected areas. To reduce this risk, BNPB together with related agencies carried out weather modification operations (OMC), opened water disposal routes, and flowed water directly into the river.

BNPB ensures that all elements in the emergency post continue to coordinate in accelerating the search process, protecting residents, and meeting the basic needs of the refugees.

The maximum effort continues with the hope that all victims who have not been found can be evacuated immediately, so that the recovery process can run faster.