TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said that the landslides which struck Villa Kota Bunga in the village of Batulawang in Cianjur, West Java on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, has injured at least 11 people.
"One person suffered serious injuries, six others had minor injuries - while the remaining four are still being evacuated," said BNPB's Head of Information and Public Relations, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho through a written statement on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.
Sutopo also said that material damages caused by the landslides thus far includes a two-storey hotel building, which was destroyed after a cliff collapsed nearby following two days of torrential rains across Cianjur. The landslide sent debris towards the base of the hotel, causing the structure to collapse.
Evacuation efforts are still underway - with Cianjur's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) leading the efforts, along with members of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Search-and-Rescue Agency (Basarnas), as well as the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), aided by local volunteers.
Two separate landslides have been reported across Cianjur regency - one struck on Tuesday, March 8, and another on Wednesday, March 9 - which is caused by heavy downpours over the area, as well as improper zoning regulations that effectively allowed the construction of residential areas in landslide-prone areas.
On Tuesday, landslides were reported at the hamlets of Cikareo and Kadubandeng in the village of Sukaresmi, as well as the hamlet of Gadog in Sukamahi village in Cianjur regency, at 03:05 Western Indonesia Time (WIB).
In Sukaresmi, the landslides claimed two lives - Jajang Mulyana (30) and Siti Safatihah (31). Meanwhile, another victim who goes by the name of Aep is still listed as missing, after landslides struck Sukamahi.
"We are still searching for survivors - we had to suspend the search yesterday because of the terrible weather," said Sutopo. "We advise residents to remain on high alert, as high precipitation is still to be expected across the Islands of Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara until the end of March."
ANTARA
