REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The search of landslide victims in Jemblung Hamlet, Banjarnegara District, Central Java province is halted due to the continuous raining days, the vast and thickness of mudpile, and threat of subsequent landslide.
Head of Data and Information Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here Sunday on a written statement that the rescue team and the local residents agreed to stop the searching activities due to uncondusive environment in the impacted area.
"The continuous raining, vast and thickness of the mudpile, and potential of subsequent landslide caused the family of the landslide victims agreed to halt the search. Now, we are focusing on refugees handling and relocation," Nugroho said.
The joint rescue team on Sunday have found two missing victims, a mother and her child. Therefore, the number of victims killed by the landslide reached 95, while 13 were still missing.
As many as 2,038 residents have been displaced due to massive landslide that hit their village on Friday (Dec 12). They are taking refuge at some posts spread in four sub-districts of Banjarnegara District; 1,255 refugees in Karangkobar, 613 in Punggelan, 50 in Banjarmangu and 120 in Wanayasa.
The administration has provided 1,000 hectare area in Ambal Village, Karangkobar Subdistrict, Banjarnegara where as many as 35 families will be relocated to. The disaster emergency response status will last until December 22, during which the authority is prioritizing the relocation for the villagers.