Severe floods and landslides have claimed lives in Indonesia’s central Java island. Minimum 21 persons And villages and rice fields were damaged.
The nation is located in a busy earthquake zone and faces high levels of deforestation – factors linked to floods and landslides, although it was not immediately clear whether the affected areas were near mines or Loaded.
A look at why landslides occur with some frequency in Indonesia, and how Earth’s warming climate may increase them in the future.
What is a landslide?
The British Geological Survey defines landslides as the movement of large-scale material, such as rock, earth, or debris, down a slope. Landslides may occur suddenly without warning or may occur gradually over time and may be triggered by heavy rainfall, erosion, or changes in slope material that weaken its resistance to gravity. . Heavy rain adds weight to the slope, makes it more unstable, and can reduce soil strength.
People assess damage in an area hit by a landslide after flooding in Pekalongan, central Java, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/ Janki DM)
Where can landslides occur?
Factors that increase the likelihood of landslides include the steepness of the slope. Slopes that are eroding at the base, which may be caused by the movement of a sea or river. Earthquake-like seismic activity; or other things that cause ground vibrations such as mining and traffic. Certain rock types and soil particle sizes are also important factors that can determine how steep a slope the soil can absorb.
Why are there so many landslides in Indonesia?
The current landslides and floods are occurring in the middle of Indonesia’s rainy season, which typically lasts from October to March. Landslides are one of the most common natural disasters in Indonesia and their frequency is increasing due to heavy rains, seismic activity and changes in the landscape such as mining. Relief Weba humanitarian information service provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Java is a mountainous island with active volcanoes. study As of 2019, the island sees the highest rate of landslides in Indonesia. More than 150 million people live on Java, an island smaller than New York State, home to a population of approx. 20 million. Many people living in a small area that sees frequent floods, earthquakes and landslides increase the risk to people and property.
Indonesia, A major mining nation And the largest producer of nickel and Palm oilMining has the highest rate of deforestation of all areas on the planet, according to World Wildlife Foundation. Healthy forests can reduce the risk of landslides, while mining strips topsoil and weakens slopes’ ability to withstand heavy rainfall and flooding.
In this photo released by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), rescuers carry the body of a flood victim in Pekalongan, Central Java, Indonesia on January 21, 2025. (BNPB via AP)
The World Resources Institute, a global research nonprofit, said tree loss in Central Java’s Pakalongan Regency — where some of the worst landslides occurred — was 50 percent higher in 2023 than the previous year, and will increase in 2021. The rate was more than double.
Climate change and landslides
study found that landslides may increase with climate change because warmer environments have more water vapor that can precipitate in heavy rains.
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