Indonesia: 177 landslides since early this year

Antara 7 Dec 16;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A total of 576 landslides have hit Indonesia since early this year, leaving 177 people dead and 100 others injured, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB).

"The threat of landslides continues to increase, along with heavy rainfall. The rains are expected to peak in January 2017 and more landslides may occur," Chief of the BNPB Information Center and Public Relations Service, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said here on Tuesday.

The landslides also forced 38,506 people to abandon their homes and caused major damage to 1,068 houses, moderate damage to 987 houses and minor damage to 926 houses.

The landslides also affected tens of public buildings, the board added.

The agency predicted that more landslides are expected to occur in the few days left in this year.

Landslides have been occurring with ever more frequency, compared to 291 in 2012, 296 in 2013, 600 in 2014, and 515 in 2015.

While 119 deaths were recorded in 2012, 190 in 2013, 372 in 2014 and 119 in 2015.

"The rising number of landslides in Indonesia is related to the high level of vulnerability," he noted.

A total of 274 districts and municipalities in Indonesia are prone to landslides.(*)