Landslide devastates Central Java, 16 confirmed dead
A tragedy occurred near the city of Pekalongan in the Central Java province of Indonesia, as several people died in a landslide.
The island in Southeast Asia is currently experiencing the rainy season. Meteorologists report that the rain will continue for the next few days.
Tragedy on the island of Java
Very heavy rainfall caused the landslide, resulting in the death of several people. The death of sixteen individuals has been confirmed. Ten injured people have been taken to hospitals and the nearest health centre, stated the head of the local police, Doni Prakoso.
Bergas Caturasi from the crisis management agency mentioned in an interview with local television that the number of victims might increase as 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 has become very difficult. Local authorities have appealed for assistance from the central government in Jakarta.
Rainy season in Indonesia
Java, one of the Greater Sunda Islands, belongs to Indonesia. The rainy season in this country lasts from October to mid-April. Unfortunately, every year the country faces intense rainfall.
In November last year, heavy rain led to floods and landslides in North Sumatra province, resulting in at least 20 deaths. Tragedy also struck on the road when a mass of mud hit a coach full of tourists, leading to the deaths of nine people. At least another 10 people lost their lives in an avalanche at the beginning of December.
