Indonesia landslide claims lives amid relentless rains
A tragedy occurred near the city of Pekalongan in the Indonesian province of Central Java. Several people lost their lives due to a landslide.
It is currently the rainy season on this Southeast Asian island. Meteorologists report that rain will continue for the next few days.
Tragedy on the island of Java
Very heavy rainfall triggered the landslide, resulting in the death of several individuals. The death toll stands at sixteen, and ten injured people have been taken to hospitals and the nearest health centre, according to local police chief Doni Prakoso.
Bergas Caturasi from the crisis management agency mentioned in an interview with local television that there might be more victims, and the search is still ongoing. "We don’t have much time. We are racing against the weather," he said.
Residents in the most threatened areas are being evacuated, but reaching some locations is becoming increasingly difficult. Local authorities have appealed to the central government in Jakarta for assistance.
Rainy season in Indonesia
Java is an island in Southeast Asia and one of the Greater Sunda Islands. It is part of Indonesia. The rainy season in this country stretches from October to mid-April. Unfortunately, the nation grapples with the tremendous force of rainfall each year.
In November of last year, heavy rain led to floods and landslides in the province of North Sumatra, resulting in at least 20 fatalities. A tragedy also unfolded on the road when a mass of sliding mud hit a tourist bus, killing nine people. At least 10 more lives were lost in an avalanche at the beginning of December.
