Due to the Potential for Further Landslides, Residents Are Asked to Evacuate from the Majenang Landslide Area

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — From geological analysis, landslides or subsequent ground movements have the potential to occur in areas affected by the landslide in Majenang, Cilacap Regency, Central Java. Based on this, the community is urged to evacuate immediately from the vicinity of the location to safer areas.

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in a response letter regarding the landslide disaster in Majenang, Saturday (15/11/2025), urged the community in the affected areas to immediately evacuate to safer locations. This is due to the potential for landslides or subsequent ground movements, especially in areas around steep slopes and during or after prolonged heavy rainfall.

The letter, signed by the Head of the Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid AN, contains an analysis of the disaster's causes and a number of recommendations to the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Governor of Central Java, and the Regent of Cilacap. The letter's explanation was also uploaded to the vsi.esdm.go.id website on Saturday.

According to the Geological Agency, in general, the morphology of the disaster-affected location and its surrounding areas consists of moderately undulating structural hills with steep slopes. The elevation of the disaster-affected location reaches 22-115 meters above sea level (asl). Its shape resembles hills that are cut with a height difference of 50-90 meters.

Based on the Regional Geological Map Sheet 1308-5 Majenang (Kastowo and Suwarna, Geological Research and Development Center, 1998), the disaster-affected location is situated at the contact boundary between the Tapak Formation (Tpt) and the Kumbang Formation (Tmpk). The Tapak Formation is located above the Kumbang Formation. This condition is influenced by geological structures in the form of folds and faults.

The weathered soil appears very thick, brown in color, loose, friable, and saturated with water, with a thickness of more than 10 meters. The regional geological structure is influenced by tectonic processes such as folding, thrust faults, and strike-slip faults.

Therefore, referring to the Central Java Landslide Forecast Map (Geological Agency, Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation) for November 2025, the disaster area in Majenang falls within the medium landslide or ground movement forecast zone. The most vulnerable zones are particularly in areas bordering river valleys, cliffs, road embankments, or slopes that are experiencing disturbances.

Old landslides can become active again due to high rainfall and strong erosion. Landslides are estimated to occur because of the steep slope of the cliffs. In addition, weathered soil is prone to collapse, is loose, and saturated, while the underlying rock is strongly fractured, influenced by geological structure, and high rainfall with prolonged duration serves as a trigger for landslide movements.

Landslides can occur due to the steep slope of the cliffs. In addition, weathered soil is prone to collapse, is loose, and saturated, while the underlying rock is strongly fractured, influenced by geological structure, and high rainfall with prolonged duration serves as a trigger for soil movement.

Therefore, the Geological Agency recommends that the community evacuate immediately from the areas affected by the disaster. In addition, the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the missing victims are urged to take weather conditions into account. All personnel in the field must immediately cease activities during and after heavy rainfall, as the location still has the potential for subsequent landslides.

On the other hand, it is necessary to install landslide hazard signs around the affected areas to enhance the awareness of all parties. The public's understanding of landslides and their signs must be improved as a mitigation effort. "The community must also always follow the disaster management directives from the relevant agencies," stated the Geological Agency.

Meanwhile, as of Saturday afternoon, several related parties are still focused on handling the emergency response to the disaster in the form of a search and rescue operation following the landslide in Magelang that occurred on Thursday (13/11/2025) at around 20:00 WIB. This is because, as of Saturday afternoon, there are still missing victims who are suspected to be buried under the landslide material.

According to data from the Cilacap Search and Rescue Office, the landslide in Majenang resulted in 11 fatalities. Three victims from Tarukahan Hamlet were found during the search on Friday (14/11/2025), and eight victims from Cibuyut Hamlet were discovered during the search on Saturday.

As of Saturday afternoon, 13 victims were still missing, consisting of seven people in Cibuyut (worksite A) and six people in Tarukahan (worksite B). The missing victims were spread across four worksites: two people in worksite A-1, five people in worksite A-2, four people in worksite B-1, and two people in worksite B-2.

"SAR operations are prioritized during the golden period or golden time which lasts 6 x 24 hours," said BNPB Head Suharyanto.

Nevertheless, Suharyanto stated that his party has urged the public to stay away from the areas affected by the disaster for safety and security reasons. "We are evacuating those who are in the vicinity of the affected area to avoid the potential for subsequent landslides," he said.

In addition, Suharyanto added that the relocation of communities still residing around the disaster-affected areas will certainly be carried out after the emergency response measures are completed. So far, there are 28 residents who still live in critical or landslide-prone areas.

"After the emergency response, we will take steps to relocate residents living in critical areas to ensure their safety. The Cilacap Regency Government has also prepared a specific area that is safer for the relocation of these residents," he stated.

The Head of the Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center of BNPB, Abdul Muhari, stated that light to moderate rain is likely to occur almost uniformly in Majenang until Sunday (16/11/2025). This could increase the risk factors for landslides. Moreover, the topography of Majenang is basin-shaped, making it highly susceptible to landslides.

The combination of severe weather and risky topography is also suspected to be the cause of the landslide in Majenang. Therefore, the BNPB urges joint SAR teams and the community around the affected area to remain vigilant against the possibility of aftershocks. "If it rains with high intensity for more than one hour, everyone is advised to immediately evacuate to a safer place," said Abdul.