By SCM Foreign Desk
CISARUA, Indonesia — A devastating landslide triggered by torrential rains swept through the hillside district of Cisarua on Monday, leaving at least 17 people dead and more than 65 others missing, according to local authorities.
The disaster, which struck in the early hours, buried dozens of homes under a thick deluge of mud and debris.
While rescue teams have been deployed to the area, their efforts have been severely hampered by persistent rainfall and unstable terrain, raising fears that the window for finding survivors is rapidly closing.
”The mud is deep and the ground is still moving,” said a spokesperson for the local disaster mitigation agency. “We are working against time, but the safety of the rescuers is also a primary concern.”
More than 400 residents have been evacuated from the immediate vicinity as geologists warn of the potential for secondary landslides.
The affected area, known for its steep slopes and lush vegetation, has been saturated by days of unrelenting monsoon weather, a seasonal occurrence that has become increasingly deadly in recent years.
Images from the scene showed villagers and soldiers using their bare hands and farm tools to dig through the wreckage of what used to be a quiet residential neighborhood. Heavy machinery has struggled to reach the most affected zones due to blocked access roads and the precarious nature of the soil.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is among the most disaster-prone nations in the world.
Landslides and flash floods are common during the rainy season, which typically runs from October to April.
However, environmental experts note that several factors are exacerbating these natural hazards:
Deforestation: The conversion of forested hillsides into agricultural land or residential developments removes the root systems that stabilize the soil.
Urban Pressure: Growing populations in regions like West Java often lead to the construction of homes in high-risk “red zones” on steep embankments.
Climate Change: Rising global temperatures have led to more intense and unpredictable rainfall patterns across Southeast Asia, overwhelming traditional drainage systems and natural barriers.
The district of Cisarua, a popular weekend retreat for residents of nearby Jakarta, has seen rapid development in recent decades.
This latest tragedy has renewed calls for stricter zoning laws and more robust early-warning systems to protect vulnerable highland communities.
As night fell on Monday, emergency shelters were overflowing with displaced families awaiting news of the missing. For many in Cisarua, the wait is being punctuated only by the sound of more rain.
