Nearly two weeks after a devastating landslide struck West Bandung Regency, Indonesia, hundreds remain displaced as authorities assess the long-term habitability of the affected areas. Triggered by heavy rainfall on January 24th, the disaster flattened homes in Pasirlangu village and has, to date, claimed 44 lives . While some residents have returned home, many are facing the daunting reality of permanent relocation, caught between the safety of evacuation centers and the remnants of their former lives.
BANDUNG BARAT, Indonesia — Hundreds of residents in West Bandung Regency remain displaced nearly ten days after a landslide devastated their villages, with some facing the grim reality that their homes are now in permanently unsafe zones.
The Jan. 24 landslide, triggered by heavy rains on the slopes of Mount Burangrang, flattened 48 homes in three hamlets of Pasirlangu village, Cisarua district, and claimed numerous lives. As recovery efforts continue, the focus is shifting to the long-term displacement of those whose homes are deemed too close to the unstable terrain.
Nur, a 38-year-old resident, has been living at a makeshift shelter in the village’s sports hall for nine days, unable to return home. “My house is in the red zone. It’s no longer safe to live there,” she said Sunday, Feb. 1.
The initial days after the disaster saw over 500 people crammed into the gymnasium, grappling with loss and uncertainty. While conditions have improved as some residents in less-affected areas have been allowed to return home, a significant number remain stranded, with no immediate prospects of resettlement.
Nur and three relatives – Kokom (53), Elah (34), and Ai Nita (25) – are among those whose homes remain standing but are considered too dangerous to occupy, situated just steps from the landslide debris. This designation has created a particularly difficult situation for those residents, effectively trapped between the possibility of returning and the reality of ongoing risk.
“Now it’s more comfortable. It’s not as crowded, and we don’t have to fight for food,” Nur said, noting an improvement in conditions at the shelter. “But it’s also quieter, and that makes it feel even more uncertain.”
Those remaining in the shelter are often referred to as the “original refugees” – those with no homes to return to. The designation underscores the stark line drawn between those who can rebuild and those who remain in limbo. The disaster highlights the vulnerability of communities living near unstable hillsides in Indonesia.
Authorities have so far identified 44 of the victims, according to reports from the Disaster Victim Identification team. Meanwhile, the case of Praka Marinir Hamid, a marine soldier who died in the landslide, underscores the personal toll of the disaster, leaving behind a pregnant wife. More on his story can be found here.
The displaced residents continue to wait for news about their future, hoping for a resolution to their uncertain situation.
