Flash floods and landslides ravaged Indonesia’s main Java island earlier this week, claiming at least five lives, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed on Friday. Rescuers are racing against time to locate seven individuals still missing as they work to reach isolated areas.
Heavy rains on Tuesday triggered the disaster in Sukabumi district, West Java province, destroying 10 bridges and damaging hundreds of homes. BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari reported Friday morning that the death toll had risen to five. He added that seven people remain unaccounted for, while efforts are underway to construct temporary bridges to restore access to the affected regions.
BNPB chief Suharyanto, who goes by one name, directed rescue teams to make full use of the crucial seven-day period, often referred to as “golden time,” to find those missing. "Use heavy equipment if necessary," Suharyanto urged in a statement.
Indonesia is no stranger to natural disasters, but the frequency and severity of recent extreme weather events have raised concerns. Last month, similar flash floods and landslides on Sumatra Island killed at least 27 people. In May, volcanic materials from Mount Marapi’s eruption caused devastating floods in West Sumatra, claiming 67 lives.
As rescue operations continue in Sukabumi, authorities are also focusing on long-term strategies to mitigate such disasters, which are increasingly linked to the effects of climate change.
Heavy rains on Tuesday triggered the disaster in Sukabumi district, West Java province, destroying 10 bridges and damaging hundreds of homes. BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari reported Friday morning that the death toll had risen to five. He added that seven people remain unaccounted for, while efforts are underway to construct temporary bridges to restore access to the affected regions.
BNPB chief Suharyanto, who goes by one name, directed rescue teams to make full use of the crucial seven-day period, often referred to as “golden time,” to find those missing. "Use heavy equipment if necessary," Suharyanto urged in a statement.
Indonesia is no stranger to natural disasters, but the frequency and severity of recent extreme weather events have raised concerns. Last month, similar flash floods and landslides on Sumatra Island killed at least 27 people. In May, volcanic materials from Mount Marapi’s eruption caused devastating floods in West Sumatra, claiming 67 lives.
As rescue operations continue in Sukabumi, authorities are also focusing on long-term strategies to mitigate such disasters, which are increasingly linked to the effects of climate change.
