Two Die as Mount Merapi Cold Lahars Flood Area

BNPB reported two residents died after being swept away by the current of a cold lahar flood that struck Magelang Regency, East Java, on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.

The incident occurred following heavy rain over the summit area of Mount Merapi and its surroundings, triggering the overflow of the Senowo River in Dukun District.

In addition to the two fatalities, two other people remain missing and are currently being searched by a joint SAR team.

‘Som state, six residents who were injured have received intensive medical treatment,’ said Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Data, Information and Public Communication Centre, in a statement on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

The fatalities recovered today are Heru Setyawan (25) and Arif Fuad Hasan (26).

According to the latest report, flood conditions have gradually subsided. Nevertheless, the search operation will resume today with additional personnel and heavy equipment to speed up the evacuation process.

Muhari added that the cold lava flood caused material losses. Interim data from BPBD Magelang Regency records one truck swept away by the current, one bridge washed away, and three other bridges damaged.

‘Overall, the cold lava flood affected eight kelurahan across three kecamatan: Dukun, Sawang, and Mungkid,’ he concluded.