Rain-triggered landslides across two locations in Indonesia’s Central Java province last week have caused significant loss of life, with authorities confirming on Monday (Nov 17) that at least 18 people have died. Search and rescue teams continue to work intensively as dozens remain unaccounted for, and conditions on the ground have made operations extremely difficult.

One of the worst-hit areas is the city of Cilacap, where a landslide swept through Cibeunying village and buried around a dozen houses under thick layers of soil. According to the national disaster mitigation agency, rescuers have been struggling because many victims are trapped beneath three to eight metres of earth. M Abdullah, who leads the local search and rescue division, reported that the disaster in Cilacap has resulted in at least 16 confirmed deaths, while seven people are still missing. Heavy machinery, including excavators, has been deployed to dig through the debris, as seen in footage aired by KompasTV on Monday.

In a separate incident, another landslide struck Banjarnegara district on Saturday, killing two people and leaving 27 others missing. The disaster mitigation agency said around 30 homes and surrounding agricultural land were damaged in the event, adding to the region’s growing toll from severe weather.

Indonesia is currently in the midst of its wet season, which started in September and is forecast to continue until April. The weather agency has warned that this period typically brings an elevated risk of extreme rainfall, landslides, and flooding. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as unstable soil conditions persist.