Three Banjarnegara Landslide Victims Evacuated, 23 Still Missing

SEMARANG, KOMPAS — The search operation for victims of the landslide disaster in Pandanarum Village, Pandanarum District, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, on Thursday (20/11/2025), or the fifth day, yielded results once again. By Thursday evening, three victims had been found, and 22 other victims reported missing were still being searched for.

As of Thursday afternoon, the authorities successfully evacuated three victims in Pandanarum Village. The three victims were found in two different search areas, namely sector A2 and C2 at 10:40 AM, then at 11:00 AM, and at 12:50 PM.

With the discovery of these three victims, the total number of fatalities in the landslide disaster in Pandanarum has risen to six. Meanwhile, 22 individuals reported missing are still in the process of being searched for.

"The search and rescue team or joint SAR must race against time to conduct the search considering the overcast weather and the possibility of rain. According to information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of Banjarnegara, light to heavy rain is predicted to occur in the Pandanarum area from the afternoon to evening over the next two days," said the Head of the Semarang SAR Office, Budiono, on Thursday.

According to him, the search for victims on Thursday was conducted manually and with the assistance of 12 excavators. With the help of heavy machinery, it is hoped that the search for victims can be carried out more quickly and that a greater number of victims will be found.

The emergency response post of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in Pandanarum Village recorded that 934 individuals from 335 families have been displaced due to the disaster. They are spread across five evacuation points, namely at the Pandanarum Sub-district Office, the Beji Village Sports Hall, the Pringamba Village Hajj Building, the Muhammadiyah Building, and the homes of relatives or family members.

In his statement, the Head of the Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center of BNPB, Abdul Muhari, mentioned that his team has conducted a rapid assessment regarding the impact of the landslide disaster. From this assessment, it was found that 182 housing units were affected. The details indicate that 128 units sustained minor damage and 54 units suffered severe damage.

"Damage also occurred to village infrastructure, which includes a road approximately 800 meters long, an electricity network, an irrigation channel spanning 670 meters, one unit of a dam, and piped irrigation infrastructure. One mosque was severely damaged and two prayer rooms were lightly damaged or at risk," said Abdul.

The losses resulting from the landslide disaster also affected the economic sector. A total of 5 cattle, 125 goats, 14 stalls, and agricultural land were damaged or buried under landslide material.

Abdul stated that the refugees' urgent needs include diapers, toiletries, clothing, milk and food, hygiene kits, antiseptics, bedding, cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment (boots, gloves, and safety glasses), and psychosocial support services. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is expected to immediately meet these basic needs, as instructed by BNPB Head Suharyanto.

Meanwhile, the search operation at the landslide site in Cibeunying Village, Majenang District, Cilacap Regency continues. On Wednesday (19/11/2025), the search operation entered its seventh day. The operation could have been concluded, but it was jointly decided to extend it for three more days, starting Thursday (20/11/2025).

"After an evaluation with the victims' families, government agencies, and the SAR elements involved, the search operation has been extended for three days. We hope to truly maximize the search for the three other victims so that they can be found soon," said Muhamad Abdullah, as the SAR Mission Coordinator.

As of Wednesday, the number of fatalities in the landslide in Cibeunying Village has reached 20 individuals. Three people who are still missing are Maysarah Salsabila (14), Vani Hayati Lanjarsari (12), and Fatin Ayu Rengganis (2). The search for these three individuals is concentrated in sectors A1 and B1.

In addition to the search efforts, the government is working to assist hundreds of survivors who are currently still displaced. As of Thursday (20/11/2025), there are 350 individuals taking refuge in three evacuation points, namely the Cibeunying Village Hall, MTs SS Cibeunying, and Wanasari Mosque. Additionally, some residents are seeking shelter in the homes of their relatives.

In the disaster, 16 houses were severely damaged and 16 houses were in a threatened condition. In the near future, approximately 296 families whose homes were damaged or in a threatened condition will be relocated to temporary housing.

Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman has prepared an area of 3.9 hectares for the construction of temporary shelters and permanent housing. The land is located in Jenang Village, Majenang District. It is situated approximately two kilometers from Cibeunying Village.

The land proposed for the relocation site has been submitted to the Geological Agency for condition assessment. Based on the response from the Geological Agency on Tuesday (18/11/2025), the location has been deemed safe.

To ensure that the construction of temporary housing and temporary housing is in accordance with the concept of build back better and saferr on the relocation land, a team from the Geological Agency will soon be dispatched to conduct geological investigations in the field.

The construction of the temporary shelters is said to be accelerated so that residents in the evacuation center can immediately get better housing.

Abdul stated that, in addition to assisting in the construction of temporary shelters for landslide victims in Cilacap, BNPN also offers options to the refugees to undertake self-evacuation by renting houses or staying with relatives.

"For this option, affected communities can utilize the housing waiting fund of Rp 600,000 per month per family for six months," he stated.