Bad Weather Hampers Search for Landslide Victims in Central Java

PADANG, KOMPAS — Bad weather and unstable soil conditions have become obstacles in the search for victims of the landslide disaster in Banjarnegara and Cilacap Regencies, Central Java. As of Monday (17/11/2025) evening, there are 27 individuals still missing in Banjarnegara, while 7 victims are still being searched for in Cilacap.

The search process for victims by the joint SAR team at the landslide site in both districts had to be concluded earlier at 6:00 PM WIB. This was due to unfavorable weather conditions and unstable soil. Such conditions posed a risk to the safety of the personnel conducting the search in the field.

The Head of the Semarang Search and Rescue Office, Budiono, stated in a press release that the search for 27 missing victims in the landslide in Banjarnegara on Monday, or the third day of the disaster, has not been able to be conducted optimally. The weather around the location is overcast, and the ground conditions at the landslide site remain unstable.

"Meanwhile, we have halted our search and rescue operations because the ground is still unstable and there are concerns about potential aftershocks. It is also raining at the location with low intensity," he said.

Budiono stated that the search and rescue operation will resume on Tuesday (18/11/2025) morning. The search area is divided into three sectors, namely sector A, B, and C. He hopes for favorable weather conditions.

Landslides struck Situkung Hamlet, Pandanarum Village, Pandanarum District, Banjarnegara Regency, on Saturday (15/11/25) afternoon. This disaster resulted in two fatalities and 27 individuals still unaccounted for. A total of 823 residents have also been evacuated.

Previously, on Thursday (13/11/2025) evening, a landslide struck Cibeunying Village, Majenang District, Cilacap Regency. Data as of Monday afternoon indicates that this disaster has resulted in 16 fatalities and seven missing persons.

Meanwhile, we stopped the SAR operation because the ground was still unstable and there was concern that there would be further landslides.

The head of the Cilacap Search and Rescue Office, Muhamad Abdullah, said the search for seven victims in Cibuyut Hamlet (worksite A) and Tarukahan Hamlet (worksite B), Cibeunying Village, ended early due to rain. The search operation resumed on Tuesday morning.

"We have narrowed down the SAR operation for Tuesday morning to three points in two sectors, namely worksite A-1 with one victim under search, B-1 with three victims under search, and B-2 with three victims under search," he said.

Despite being hampered by daytime weather conditions, the search process for victims by the joint SAR team in Majenang District yielded results. On Monday morning, the fifth day of the disaster, officials found three victims out of ten missing individuals, all in a deceased state.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has indeed been conducting weather modification operations since Sunday (16/11/2025) in Central Java. The aim is to prevent rain from falling in the affected areas so that the search and rescue process can be maximized.

"We are human beings; no matter how advanced our tools are and how high our knowledge is, when the will of the Almighty is at play, what can we do?" said the Head of BNPB, Lieutenant General Suharyanto, during a coordination meeting in Cilacap, which was broadcast live on the Instagram account @bpbdcilacap, on Monday afternoon.

Suharyanto advised the field officers that the target of the search and rescue operation is to find all the victims. Specifically regarding the landslide in Majenang, there are still two days left to search for the seven missing victims.

If by the seventh day not all victims have been found, the search and rescue team must engage in dialogue with the victims' families to decide whether to continue or halt the search. "If the families request to continue, we will proceed with the search," he said.