The Search for Banjarnegara Landslide Victims Continues, with Residents Relocated to Temporary Housing Prepared

SEMARANG, KOMPAS — The handling of the landslide disaster that struck Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, continues to be carried out until Tuesday (18/11/2025). In addition to continuing the search and assistance for victims at evacuation points, the government will begin the relocation of residents to temporary shelters.

A landslide disaster struck Situkung Hamlet, Pandanarum Village, Pandanarum District, Banjarnegara Regency, on Sunday (16/11/2025) at around 16:00 WIB. As a result of the disaster, two people lost their lives and ten others were injured.

A total of 41 individuals who had sought refuge in the forest during the disaster have also been evacuated. As of Tuesday (18/11/2025), 823 people affected by the disaster are taking shelter in several locations.

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi stated that there are 26 residents whose whereabouts are still unknown. The search for these residents has been ongoing since Sunday and continues to be conducted until Tuesday.

"There are 26 residents who are still missing, and this is a priority to be found. Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, we will deploy 500 personnel to continue the search," said Luthfi in his statement on Monday (17/11/2025).

In the disaster, a total of 195 housing units were reported to be affected, with 30 of them collapsing. Luthfi stated that the government would prepare temporary housing for them. The victims are targeted to begin relocating to temporary housing within the next three days.

"We have prepared temporary housing. After that, we will provide permanent housing, as one village has been affected. This is not just about providing a place to live. The needs for clothing, food, shelter, and employment for the residents must be considered together," said Luthfi.

According to Luthfi, the Central Java Provincial Government has allocated an unexpected expenditure budget of Rp 450 million. This budget is intended, among other things, for the handling of homes that have been buried or destroyed.

Luthfi urged residents of Situkung Hamlet not to return to their respective homes due to the unstable soil conditions in the area. Based on assessments by officials, it was found that there are landslide-prone areas that still have the potential to move.

The Central Java Provincial Government has divided disaster management in its region into four clusters. The evacuation cluster aims to ensure the basic needs of residents, the logistics cluster is responsible for managing the supply chain of food and essential needs, the health cluster provides emergency health services, and the education cluster ensures that the learning activities of children affected by the disaster can continue.

In addition, the meetings mentioned by Luthfi were held in collaboration with the district/city governments, particularly in areas prone to landslides. During these meetings, Luthfi urged the regents and mayors to strengthen disaster mitigation efforts.

"Central Java is a disaster minimarket. There are certain areas that need to be anticipated, such as Batang, Kendal, Wonosobo, Banjarnegara, Brebes, Magelang, and Temanggung. The potential for landslides (in those regions) is high; early prevention measures must be implemented," he stated.

Wastinah, one of the victims of the landslide disaster in Pandanarum Village, expressed her gratitude for being safe. On Sunday evening, she, along with dozens of other residents, immediately ran into the forest to save themselves. After that, they were evacuated by officers to the community health center for health checks and then taken to the evacuation site.

Wastinah, who is currently still in a refugee camp, hopes that the government can provide solutions for residents whose homes have been affected by the disaster. "The hope is to have a home again, but not in that location," said Wastinah.

Meanwhile, the Head of Pandanarum Village, Misrod, stated that in addition to claiming lives and causing several residents to be injured, the landslide disaster in his area is believed to have buried hundreds of livestock owned by the residents.

"Based on the data collection, it is estimated that there are 30 cattle and 250 goats buried under the landslide material. The total loss amounts to Rp 640 million," said Misrod.

In addition, the disaster has damaged the residents' agricultural land. Various crops belonging to the residents, such as rice, chili, tomatoes, and cardamom, have been destroyed. Misrod estimates that the losses in the agricultural sector amount to Rp 2.9 billion.

The landslide damaged irrigation channels. Losses due to the damage are estimated at Rp 50 million.