Landslide in Kebumen: A Brief Report and Its Mitigation

The rainy season has just started and has not reached its peak in Indonesia. However, many regions in this country have already experienced hydrologic hazards, including landslides. One of these regions is Kebumen. A landslide in Kebumen has recently occurred.

This landslide was not the first occurrence this year. Some villages in different Kebumen’s subdistricts were hit by a similar disaster a few weeks ago. Moreover, the government has advised the locals to stay away from landslide-prone areas. What makes this region vulnerable to this hazard?

Why is Kebumen Prone to Landslides?

Kebumen is a district in Central Java, Indonesia. This region is located along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Moreover, Kebumen has a complex topography and geographical conditions. Rivers, beaches, mountains, karst areas, and valleys can be found in its sub-districts.

Unfortunately, natural disasters often strike this region, particularly in the rainy season. One of these hazards is landslides. What makes Kebumen prone to landslides?

1. Prolonged Heavy Rain

Kebumen is prone to heavy and prolonged rainfall during the rainy season. Abundant rainwater that seeps into the soil will increase the soil’s hydrostatic pressure and weight. 

Consequently, the soil in Kebumen’s sloping areas will be unstable. Thus, there is a potential landslide in Kebumen during the rainy season.

2. Steep Slopes

Hills and mountainous areas in the southwestern and northern Kebumen have steep slopes. Their inclination is over 25%. Steeper slopes are typically prone to material movements. Thus, the southwestern and northern parts of Kebumen are vulnerable to landslides.

3. Soil Types

Hills and mountainous areas in Kebumen are composed of fine- to medium-grained rocks and deposits that are less resistant to weathering. Moreover, the slope covers are clayey-silt. 

This soil type tends to have difficulty passing water quickly. Thus, it will be highly saturated during heavy rains. Consequently, its weight increases, making it prone to landslides.

4. Geological Structure

Kebumen is prone to earthquakes due to the presence of tectonic faults. Thus, landslides may occur in Kebumen’s sloping areas during an earthquake. 

Moreover, folds are also present in this region. This geological condition causes rocks’ to undergo a quicker weathering process and turns them into loose soil. Therefore, landslide risks increase.

5. Land Use Changes

Many slopes in Kebumen experience deforestation and improper land use changes. Consequently, the soil in those slopes loses its stabilizer. Thus, they are vulnerable to earth material movement.

Landslide in Kebumen: Most Recent Occurrences

Each year, the landslide kills at least 20 people in Central Java. Landslides also have occurred more frequently in the last ten years. In the early rainy season of 2025-2026, Kebumen suffered two landslides. Below are the latest land movements in Kebumen.

1. November 2025 Landslide

In November, landslides occurred twice in Kebumen. The first was on November 10. Heavy rain started to fall in Kebumen on November 9. The next day, landslides hit five villages. This disaster damaged a few houses and blocked main roads.

On November 23, torrential rain started to fall again and lasted for several days. This weather event triggered floods in several villages. The rain also caused landslides in some sloping areas.

This current landslide lasted from November 24 to 25. Moreover, this hydrologic hazard affected eight villages in 5 sub-districts. The landslide also damaged several houses and slope embankments, cut main roads, and endangered a school. 

2. October 2025 Landslide

Landslides also hit two areas in Kebumen on October 21. They are Pesuningan village and a road in the Karangsambung sub-district. This hazard did not cause fatalities. However, it damaged several houses, triggered a financial loss, and caused transportation problems.

On October 28, two landslides occurred in two villages, i.e., Kalipoh and Wonokromo villages. These landslides destroyed hill embankments and a few houses. Thankfully, no casualties or fatalities were reported from those incidents.

3. May 2025 Landslide

During the transitional season, torrential rains typically fall in Kebumen. Thus, it is not surprising that there were landslides in May 2025. This hydrologic hazard hit 5 villages in 4 different sub-districts. These landslides damaged several houses and caused financial losses.

Landslide Mitigation in Kebumen

Landslides may occur again in the future in Kebumen. Moreover, the Local Agency for Disaster Management (BPBD) has identified potential land movements near the previous landslide spots. 

Therefore, BPBD has warned the locals to avoid landslide-prone areas during heavy rains and to look for landslide signs, including cracks on sloping areas. Moreover, BPBD has cleared the affected areas and placed warning signs in landslide-prone areas. 

Recently, a landslide in Kebumen affected eight villages. The government agency has also identified high landslide risk in this region. To reduce this risk, the government can take various measures, including establishing an advanced early warning system. To establish this system, the government can adopt wireless broadcast technology from smsbroadcaster.com.