Floods and Landslides in Java, Indonesia

(03/01/08)

• Millions of Indonesians on the Java Islands are susceptible to floods from seasonal rains and landslides because the many people live in or near fertile river floodplains, or on the slopes of mountains and active volcanoes. • Landslides occur frequently because the seasonal tropical rains soak hillsides that are already unstable as the result of years of deforestation. • An estimated 128 were killed by the flooding and landslides. • Tens of thousands were left homeless. • A bridge in the Madiun District of East Java was swept away by flood waters. • Days of torrential rain triggered floods that inundated thousands of houses throughout the country and landslides that buried some villages. • The Wonogiri and Ngawi Districts were severely impacted by 2-meter flood waters from the Bengawan Solo River. • The Karangirya District was hit hard by landslides.    Click here to download a PowerPoint Presentation with more details on this Event