Landslide in West Java: The Facts and Risk Mitigation

Extreme heavy rains in early 2026 caused terrible disasters. Many cases of landslides occurred in West Java. The landslide in West Java affected various areas across ten regencies or cities. Conditions before and after the landslide were very concerning. A disaster emergency alert status was then declared as a precautionary measure.

The Facts of a Landslide in West Java

West Java is one of several regions of Indonesia that were hit by extreme weather at the beginning of 2026. The threat of landslides looms after heavy rain, pushed by location factors as additional factors. Landslides affected several areas in West Java with many impacts. Here are various facts about the landslides that occurred in West Java.

1. Cisarua has the Worst Impact

Ten regencies or cities that were affected by landslides, based on the report of BPBD in West Java. Bogor, Bandung, West Bandung, Karawang, Kuningan, Garut, Purwakarta, Subang, Sukabumi, and Bogor City are the ten areas.

The most affected area is Cisarua, a sub-district in West Bandung Regency. Three hamlets in Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua District, were buried by the landslide. The threat of landslides doesn’t stop here. The potential for soil movement and debris flows is still threatening.

2. Causing Fatalities and Injuries

The landslide that struck some regions in West Java is categorized as an extreme disaster. It caused large fatalities and injuries. Currently, the fatality case has reached 79, and several people have been injured. Six people are still missing and are still being searched for. The possibility of fatalities or injuries will increase. In refugee areas, there are 951 survivors after landslide cases during January 2026.

3. Caused by a Combination of Factors

Many factors contributed to this hydrometeorological disaster. Much of West Java is highland. The primary natural causing factor of landslides is heavy rains. Besides the main factor, there are the contributing factors, such as geology, slope gradient, and ancient volcanic deposits. All of these increase the landslides’ potential.

The landslide occurred at the foot of Mount Burangrang, an area of a volcanic mountain with a moderate to strong relief. The relative steepness has exceeded 35 degrees. The moderately steep is located in the central area, with a range from 8-16 degrees. The very steep area has slopes exceeding 55 degrees.

4. Evacuation in Extreme Weather

The evacuation was carried out immediately and involved many related parties. The evacuation teams began their work based on the procedures. Various evacuation procedures include searching for and rescuing the victims, aid distribution, and clearing the landslide area. The evacuation process continued despite extreme weather conditions.

The Risk Mitigation

The landslide in West Java, caused by extreme weather and other contributing factors, is certainly very concerning. The impacts are significant and require a swift response. The West Java government and all relevant parties are implementing several risk mitigation measures. Evacuation and recovery are highly dependent on disaster management policies.

1. Disaster Warning System

Landslide warning systems have been installed in several vulnerable locations, including West Bandung and Sukabumi. It means that the warning system has not been distributed evenly across all threaten areas. The current performance of warning systems is also suboptimal due to frequent technical issues and inadequate capacity. They need to be improved to ensure public safety in all vulnerable locations.

2. Disaster Emergency Alert Status

The West Java Government has declared a disaster emergency alert status, as a preventive step, to the vulnerable areas. There are 27 regencies/cities that have been potentially hit by landslides. This status is until April 2026. The aim is to protect communities and urges all regional heads to increase their preparedness to face the threat of landslides.

3. Evacuation

The first step in disaster management is evacuation. The success of disaster management depends on evacuation effectiveness. So, it must be carried out optimally, involving all relevant parties. Amidst extreme weather, the entire evacuation team carried out its duties to search for victims, rescue them, distribute aid, and clean up the landslide area.

4. Emergency Recovery

After the landslide struck, emergency recovery efforts were implemented, providing shelter and medical care for injured victims or those experiencing post-disaster health problems. Health agencies were contacted to respond directly to the disaster site. Efforts were also made to distribute aid and improve sanitation.

A landslide in West Java with its impact on the affected areas require attention. Warning systems are effective for minimizing disaster risks, including landslides. Recording to the high potential for landslides during the rainy season, the government needs to give warning signals in the form of emergency messages. This allows the government to receive comprehensive information.

To simplify message delivery, a message-sending machine based on SMS (Short Message Service) is available now. It allows real-time messaging to mobile phones. The range of the messaging is extensive, from 500 m to 2 km, and can be accessed by all operators. The specific engine can be found at smsbroadcaster.com.