Suherdjoko, Semarang – A joint study by three Yogyakarta universities has found that 97 districts in 27 of Central Java's 35 regencies and cities are at risk for landslides.

The results of the study, conducted by the departments of geological engineering at Gadjah Mada University, Pembangunan Nasional University and Sekolah Tinggi Teknik Nasional, were disclosed on Monday by the head of the Central Java Mining and Energy Office, Teguh Dwi Paryono.

"The truth is, there are numerous incidents of large landslides taking place during the rainy season, but since most occur in areas that are sparsely populated they never make the headlines," he said.

A landslide swept through Sijeruk village in Banjarnegara regency, Central Java, last Wednesday, killing 75. Last Sunday, flash floods and landslides in two separate locations in Jember regency, East Java, killed at least 79 people.

The 97 districts identified in the study are located in Banjarnegara, Kebumen, Purworejo, Banyumas, Cilacap, Pemalang, Purbalingga, Tegal, Brebes, Batang, Pekalongan, Wonosobo, Temanggung, Magelang, Semarang city and regency, Grobogan, Kendal, Jepara, Kudus, Pati, Rembang, Blora, Boyolali, Wonogiri, Karanganyar and Sragen.

Teguh said that in Banjarnegara regency alone, six districts were considered prone to landslides.

In Purworejo regency, where a landslide killed two people in January and a large landslide killed 55 in 2000, five districts were identified as being at risk for landslides.

"We have distributed maps to regency and city administrations in Central Java. We hope the administrations do something to minimize the danger of future incidents and prevent more people from becoming victims," Tegus said.

He said administrations could use the maps to warn people living in danger areas to seek safer ground in the event of heavy rains.