Indonesian authorities reported on Monday that 10 people have been confirmed dead after flash floods and landslides swept through hilly villages on Java Island.
Torrential rains since last week caused rivers to overflow, submerging over 170 villages in Sukabumi district, West Java.
The heavy rains triggered massive mudslides, dislodging rocks and trees that swept down mountainsides into villages, burying homes and cars.
Lt. Col. Yudi Hariyanto, leading rescue operations in Sukabumi, confirmed that 10 bodies, including three children, had been recovered from the hardest-hit villages of Tegalbuleud, Simpenan, and Ciemas.
Two people remain missing. Authorities reported widespread devastation, with nearly 1,000 people evacuated as more than 400 homes are at risk from continuing storms.
What Damage Was Caused to Infrastructure and Agriculture?
The disaster also left deep scars on the region’s infrastructure.
More than 3,000 people were forced to seek refuge in temporary shelters while the extreme weather damaged over 31 bridges and 81 roads. Flooding submerged 1,170 houses up to roof level. In addition, around 1,330 acres of rice fields were destroyed, severely impacting agriculture.
The total damage includes 3,300 additional homes and buildings, which were also affected by the floodwaters and landslides.
How Are Rescue Teams Responding to the Situation?
Videos circulating on social media showed the horrifying extent of the flash floods, which carried away vehicles, livestock, and debris.
Footage from West Java’s Search and Rescue Agency revealed inundated roads transformed into muddy rivers and villages buried under thick layers of mud and uprooted trees.
Rescue teams, including soldiers and police, worked tirelessly to pull bodies from these ravaged areas, battling through the mud to find survivors.
The floods are expected to worsen as more rain is forecast in the coming days.
What Are the Long-Term Implications for Indonesia?
Indonesia, an archipelago with 17,000 islands, frequently faces seasonal rainfall from October to March, which leads to flooding and landslides. The country’s mountainous terrain and vast flood plains make millions of residents vulnerable to natural disasters.
Last month, similar flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra province left over a dozen dead and two missing, as well as causing a deadly landslide that hit a tourist bus, killing nine people.
Authorities have reiterated the need for improved infrastructure and flood prevention measures as they brace for potential future storms.
Other developments include ongoing efforts by local authorities to rebuild roads and restore basic infrastructure. However, the challenges in providing adequate shelter and aid to displaced communities remain significant.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
The post Landslides, Flash Floods Devastate Java, Leaving 10 Dead, 2 Missing appeared first on Newsweek.
