Landslide Hits Buayan, Kebumen Due to Heavy Rain, Road Access Disrupted

Heavy rain that lashed Buayan sub-district, Kebumen Regency, Central Java, triggered a landslide disaster in Dukuh Kaum, Desa Karangbolong, on Friday (27/3). The incident caused part of the village road surface to collapse, making it impassable for four-wheeled vehicles.

Kebumen Police Chief AKB I Putu Bagus Krisna Purnama stated that the landslide occurred around 9:00 PM WIB after rain had been falling since the afternoon. The water-saturated soil condition made the structure unstable and eventually collapsed. “The high intensity of rain caused the soil to become unstable and triggered the landslide,” he said.

Data from Buayan Police Sector shows that the landslide eroded the road surface for approximately 8 metres in length, with a width of about 3 metres and a height of up to 2 metres. Half of the road surface is gone, so access is temporarily only possible for two-wheeled vehicles with a high level of caution.

Local residents, Marimin and Watini, said the heavy rain lasted quite a long time before the landslide occurred.

After the incident, police apparatus along with village officials and the community immediately carried out initial handling. Police lines were installed at the location to secure the area and anticipate the risk of accidents for road users. “Security measures are carried out to keep the public safe and away from potential hazards at the landslide site,” said the Police Chief.

There were no fatalities in this incident. However, material losses are estimated to reach around Rp7 million due to damage to the village road surface. Residents are urged to increase vigilance, especially during high-intensity rain. The village government along with relevant agencies is preparing follow-up steps to repair the affected road access.

Previously, Head of Ahmad Yani Semarang Meteorology Station Yoga Sambodo warned of the potential for moderate to heavy rain that could be accompanied by lightning and strong winds in several areas of Central Java over the next three days.

Areas that need to be wary include Banyumas, Cilacap, Purbalingga, Banjarnegara, Kebumen, Wonosobo, Purworejo, Magelang, Temanggung, as well as other mountainous and highland areas.

According to him, this condition is triggered by active atmospheric dynamics in Central Java, thereby increasing the chance of rain cloud formation.

“We urge the public, especially those living in vulnerable areas such as slopes, hillsides, and riverbanks, to increase vigilance against the potential for hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, and strong winds,” he said.