At the site of a landslide, 36-year-old Acang was holding onto his hoe. He was taking a break after working with volunteers all day long to find two relatives and a friend who had gone missing in the landslide.
By
STEFANUS ATO
·4 minutes read
Once in a while, the private sector worker helped other landslide victims, who were limping their way toward the sloping housing complex to salvage what was left of their belongings, especially clothes and blankets that were not buried by the landslide.
“We have been searching [for the missing persons] since yesterday, but we have yet to find them. The missing persons include two relatives of mine and a neighbor,” Acang said in Harkatjaya village, Sukajaya district, Bogor regency, West Java, on Thursday (2/1/2019).
The evacuation was difficult, as residents and volunteers were using whatever tools they had, including hoes, crowbars and machetes. They were also required to be extra careful as the landslide mud could sink in at any moment. Houses were buried in mud two meters deep. With rain still pouring over the village, they were aware of the possibility of subsequent landslides.
We have been searching [for the missing persons] since yesterday, but we have yet to find them
Harkatjaya is one of six villages in Sukajaya district of Bogor regency that were cut off because of landslides on Wednesday (1/1).
Hungry and cold
Many suffered under the disaster that struck at the start of the year. Survivors were exposed to the elements and hunger, with logistical limitations leaving many at risk of diseases. Some of them had no answer when asked what they would eat tomorrow.
According to provisional data from the disaster center of Harkatjaya village, the landslide buried seven people and 11 homes. No exact count has been made on the number of injured people and damaged homes.
Of the seven people buried in the landslide, only four bodies had been found as of Thursday. Harkatjaya village head Soleh said 1,245 residents had been evacuated to the village hall, local schools and relatives’ homes that were safe from landslides.
All of them stayed at the temporary shelters without bringing any food, clothes or medicine. “Yesterday, I only asked residents to save themselves. As for food and beverages, we get help from volunteers. It’s only enough for today. We do not know yet what to do for tomorrow,” Soleh said.
At state elementary school SD 03 Sukajaya, one of the temporary shelters, evacuees were sleeping on floor mats in muddy classrooms.
We are fine but it’s rough for the children.
One of them, Topik, 40, said he had only received food aid on Thursday afternoon after staying at the shelter since Wednesday. Evacuees either bought their own food and beverages or obtained them from other locals.
“We arrived here only with the clothes we are wearing. Since yesterday, those with money can buy food. Those without money get food from locals,” Topik said.
People at the shelter have no blankets and lack medicines. Sanitation facilities are also unavailable.
The landslide has severed the pipe bringing water to the village. Power from state-owned electricity company PLN was also cut off, leaving the evacuees to rely on portable generators.
“We are fine but it’s rough for the children. Many could not sleep last night as it was cold and there were lots of mosquitos. They need blankets, medicines and diapers, if possible,” said evacuee Siti Saropah, 18, of Cibuluh hamlet.
Difficult access
Roads to Harkatjaya village are difficult to pass, despite heavy equipment having been deployed to move mud at two of the village’s access points. Only motorbikes can pass through, going extra carefully due to the slippery mud.
Military personnel are walking 5 kilometers to carry staple goods to the disaster-affected location, as no vehicle can reach it.
Bogor regency councilor Aan Triana Al Muharom said that, aside from Harkatjaya, landslides also isolated five other villages in Sukajaya, namely Pasir Madang, Cisarua, Cileksa, Kiarapanda and Urug. Road access between these villages is cut off by the landslides, forcing people to walk across the hilly terrain to reach them.
Travel time between Harkatjaya and Pasir Madang, for example, is only 15 minutes by vehicle normally. In the current conditions, it is two hours by foot.
Since landslides have cut off the villages, many locals have received no aid. Aan expressed hope that the Bogor regency administration would swiftly send help.
“They need clean water, clothes, medicines and other supplies,” Aan said.
Sukajaya district secretary Ridwan said district office employees were mapping out the landslide locations, damaged structures and victims for reporting to the Bogor regency administration for immediate follow-up.