Terrible tragedy struck the Indonesian province of West Java this week as torrential rainfall triggered a deadly landslide and a cascade of destructive flooding and earth movements. On Wednesday, the National Disaster Management Agency confirmed the grim discovery of two bodies buried by a landslide in Cianjur. Sadly, the landslide, which was triggered by prolonged heavy rains on Tuesday, also left one person injured.

“The heavy rainfall caused the hillside behind the house to collapse, burying a family inside their home,” said agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari, detailing the devastating incident.

The relentless downpour that battered West Java didn’t confine its wrath to Cianjur. In the neighboring Sukabumi region, a series of equally destructive events unfolded. By Wednesday, the relentless downpour had transformed tranquil landscapes into scenes of chaos. Floodwaters surged through seven areas, while landslides scarred fourteen locations, dramatically reshaping the terrain. Unstable ground led to further concerns as soil movements were reported in four areas, including Sukamaju Village in Cikembar District and Bantargadung Village in Bantargadung District.

In light of these devastating events, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) issued a stern warning, urging local governments to bolster their preparedness for future hydro-meteorological disasters. BNPB stressed the critical need to ensure ready access to vital equipment, skilled personnel, and sufficient resources, particularly in vulnerable areas prone to landslides and other disasters.