JAKARTA (Bernama): Eight people were killed, and 82 others remain missing after a landslide struck Pasir Langu village in West Bandung, West Java, burying several residential areas early Saturday.
National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information and Communication Head Abdul Muhari said the landslide, triggered by high-intensity rainfall, occurred at about 2.30 am on Saturday.
"A total of 23 people were reported to have survived, while about 113 people from 34 families were affected.
"The number of damaged houses is still being verified by officers on the ground,” he said in a statement.
Abdul Muhari said that BPBD had carried out a rapid assessment at the site and initiated emergency response efforts, including search and rescue (SAR) operations.
He said the regency will remain under Emergency Alert Status for floods, flash floods, extreme weather, and landslides until April 30 this year.
In response to the increasing number of hydrometeorological disasters in West Java, he said BNPB has been conducting Weather Modification Operations (OMC) to reduce rainfall intensity.
"The operations have been ongoing since January 12 in West Java and Jakarta, with two aircraft deployed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base,” he said.
He added that 32 sorties were conducted over West Java, dispersing 32,000 kilogrammes of seeding materials between January 13 and 22, while 19 sorties were flown over Jakarta, releasing 12,400 kilogrammes over the same period.
To optimise rainfall control, Abdul Muhari said BNPB has added two Caravan aircraft to the operations starting Friday and may expand them to Banten Province if the risk of extreme weather increases. -- Bernama
