Five Dead, Seven Missing in Indonesia Floods, Landslides

JAKARTA – Flash floods and landslides triggered by intense rainfall have devastated Sukabumi district in Indonesia’s West Java province, leaving at least five people dead and seven missing, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). The natural disaster, which struck on December 3, also destroyed at least 10 bridges and damaged hundreds of homes.

BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari confirmed on December 6 that the death toll had risen to five, with rescue teams racing against time to locate the missing. Efforts are underway to construct a temporary bridge to improve access to the affected areas.

BNPB chief Suharyanto, who uses a single name, emphasized the importance of optimizing search operations during the critical seven-day “golden time” window. “If necessary to use heavy equipment, please do so,” Suharyanto stated.

Indonesia, frequently hit by extreme weather events, has been grappling with increasingly severe floods and landslides, which experts attribute to climate change. In November, similar disasters in Sumatra claimed 27 lives, while flash floods in May caused by volcanic debris from Mount Marapi killed 67 people.

As rescue operations continue, the tragedy highlights the urgent need for climate resilience and disaster preparedness in one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.