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At least 17 dead, 8 missing as flash floods and landslides devastate Indonesia's Central Java

  • Flash floods and landslides in Pekalongan regency have killed 17, with 8 still missing and 11 injured
  • Rescue teams are using excavators and manual tools to recover bodies and search for survivors in wreckage
  • Seasonal monsoon rains continue to trigger disasters in Indonesia, with prior incidents in Sukabumi and North Sumatra

21 Jan 2025

At least 17 dead, 8 missing as flash floods and landslides devastate Indonesia's Central Java

Flash floods and landslides in Pekalongan regency, Central Java, Indonesia, have caused widespread devastation, with at least 17 people confirmed dead and 8 others still missing. The disaster occurred on January 19, after torrential rains caused rivers to overflow, inundating nine villages. The floodwaters swept away homes and vehicles while mud, rocks, and trees slid down the mountainsides, burying villages in their path. Petungkriyono, the hardest-hit village, has seen the most destruction, with numerous structures and roads buried under debris.

By January 20, rescue workers had recovered 17 bodies. Eleven people who sustained injuries were rescued and transported to local hospitals. The search for the missing continues despite the challenges posed by the difficult terrain and ongoing rainfall. Rescue operations are being carried out by police, soldiers, and volunteers, who are using excavators, farm equipment, and manual tools to sift through the rubble. Victims have been carried to ambulances and trucks, some on bamboo stretchers and in body bags.

The flash floods also triggered landslides that buried two houses and washed away vehicles passing through the region. Two main bridges connecting villages in Pekalongan regency were destroyed, further complicating the delivery of aid and rescue efforts. In addition, people who were fishing or taking shelter from the rain were among those swept away by the floodwaters. Authorities have emphasized the ongoing danger of further floods and landslides as weather conditions remain unstable.

Indonesia’s geographical layout, with its mountainous terrain and many floodplains, makes it particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters, especially during the monsoon season from October to March. In the previous months, similar weather events have caused significant damage and loss of life across the archipelago. In December 2024, flash floods and a landslide killed 12 people in Sukabumi district, West Java. In November 2024, landslides and flash floods in North Sumatra killed 20 people and left two others missing.

The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) continues to coordinate relief efforts and provide support to affected communities. Rescue teams are working under challenging conditions as they search for survivors and recover bodies. The Indonesian government has also issued warnings urging people in flood-prone and mountainous areas to be cautious in light of the ongoing monsoon season and the increased risk of further disasters.

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At least 17 dead, 8 missing as flash floods and landslides
Flash floods and landslides in Pekalongan regency have killed 17, with 8 still missing and 11 injured





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