New landslide fears in Indonesia by Rob McElwee
Further torrential downpours last night sparked fears of further landslides across the island of Java in Indonesia.
Over 100 people have lost their lives this week after days of heavy rain lead to a series of landslides which buried homes in thick mud across central Java. Rescue workers intensified efforts to search for people believed to be buried in the mud.
One of the worst affected areas was the Karanganyar district where more than 60 people were buried in a village on a mountain slope. Mud up to 6 meters (20 feet) high encased the remains of many homes.
Authorities feared that the recent heavy rain would set off fresh landslides and urged thousands of people to evacuate their homes and move to temporary shelters set up by the government.
Landslides and floods are not uncommon in Indonesia during the rainy season, which peaks from December to February. However, deforestation in the area means that there is little vegetation to hold the soil, allowing tropical downpours to quickly soak hill slopes giving rise to landslides.
The risk of landslides remains high over the next few days as forecasters expect further heavy showers and thunderstorms across much of Java. With 2007, and the start of 2008, being a La Nina year, SE Asia and Indonesia have had an active monsoon season so far. La Nina conditions are frequently associated with stronger monsoon rainfall and flooding in Indonesia and Malaysia.
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