Bad Weather Hampers Search for 82 Victims of West Bandung Landslide

Bandung: Unfavorable weather conditions are hampering search and rescue efforts for 82 residents reported missing after a landslide struck Pasirlangu Village, West Bandung District, West Java, early Saturday morning, the West Java Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said.

Head of Emergency and Logistics at the West Java BPBD Bambang Imanudin said prolonged heavy rainfall has significantly disrupted operations carried out by joint teams from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and other SAR units.

“Our teams are on standby, but continuous heavy rain is making search efforts difficult,” Imanudin said, as quoted from Antara, Saturday 24 January 2026.

He added that heavy equipment from the BPBD and the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) has been deployed to the area. However, access to the landslide site remains limited due to unstable ground conditions.

“The soil is still soft and there is ongoing material movement. We need to ensure safe access routes before heavy machinery can operate,” he said.

According to Imanudin, the search area spans approximately three kilometers from the upper slope down to the left side of the affected area, requiring additional time and heightened caution during evacuation efforts.

As a result of the disaster, around 400 residents of Pasirlangu Village have been evacuated by joint emergency teams. Displaced residents are currently staying at evacuation centers and are in urgent need of basic necessities, including mattresses and blankets.

“The number of evacuees is estimated at around 400. Logistics support is expected to be sufficient, with assistance from the provincial government already arriving,” Imanudin said.

As of Saturday afternoon, nine people had been confirmed dead, while dozens of homes were reported buried under mud and landslide debris.

Meanwhile, Cisarua Sub-district Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Yogaswara urged residents to remain alert and avoid the affected areas, warning that unstable soil conditions could trigger further landslides.

“We are continuing the search for missing victims while prioritizing the safety of rescue personnel,” Yogaswara said.