PEKALONGAN, Indonesia, Jan 23, 2025 (V7N) – The death toll from a devastating landslide in Central Java, Indonesia, has climbed to 21 as rescuers battle worsening weather and time to locate five missing individuals, officials said Thursday.

The landslide, triggered by torrential rainfall on Monday, struck a mountainous area near Pekalongan city, causing widespread destruction. Bridges were destroyed, and houses and vehicles were buried under mud and debris.

"As of this morning, we have found 21 victims who died, and five more are still being searched," said Budiono, head of the search and rescue agency in Semarang.

Rescue Efforts Focused on Key Areas

Rescuers equipped with heavy machinery are focusing on two critical locations in Kasimpar village: the ruins of a local official's house and a nearby café where people had sought refuge from the rain.

"We are also searching the nearby river, as victims might have been carried away by the strong current," Budiono added.

At least 13 individuals sustained injuries in the disaster, according to the national search and rescue agency Basarnas. Teams have also begun clearing roads of mud and debris to facilitate rescue and recovery operations.

Climate Change and Increasing Disasters

Landslides and flooding are common in Indonesia during the rainy season, which typically runs from November to April. However, recent years have seen weather-related disasters occurring outside this window, exacerbated by climate change.

The May 2024 flash floods in West Sumatra, which claimed 67 lives, were a grim reminder of the growing intensity of storms and rainfall. The floods were compounded by volcanic ash and debris from Mount Marapi, underscoring the interconnected challenges faced by Indonesia's disaster-prone regions.

As search efforts continue, officials are racing against time and unpredictable weather to locate the remaining missing victims.

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