Landslide destroys 43 houses

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: At least 43 houses in the village of Sewidak, Wanayas district, Banjarnegara regency, Central Java, were totally destroyed by a landslide on Sunday. No fatalities were reported.

Deputy regent of Banjarnegara Hadi Supeno said on Monday that his office was helping the residents evacuate the village for their relatives' houses in neighboring villages.

"We implore everyone to leave the village, despite the fact that their houses are still standing," Hadi said, adding that fresh landslides could take place at any time.

He said that the soil around the village was very unstable and prone to landslide.

Banjarnegara is one of the regencies located in the southern part of Central Java. This area is very prone to natural disasters, including flood and landslide.

In the last two months floods and landslides have hit the neighboring regencies of Banyumas, Kebumen and Cilacap. At least 13 people have died in the disaster while thousands of houses have been destroyed, forcing thousands of families to seek refuge.

Hadi said that the villagers were very familiar with landslides, which always occurred in the rainy season. "But usually less than 10 houses would be destroyed."

He did not explain what action the regency was taking to minimize the villagers' suffering when landslides occurred.

He said relocation would be the best way to help them. "But we lack funds. We need a great deal of money for land acquisition and the construction of new houses for the people." --JP