JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Rescue workers dug through tons of mud and rubble on Monday as they searched for 34 missing people after two separate landslides in two different regions on Indonesia’s main island of Java killed at least 18 people.
Rescuers recovered more bodies since landslides triggered by torrential rains on Thursday evening that hit dozens of houses in three villages in the Cilacap district of Central Java province, increasing the death toll to 16, said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, or BNPB.
More than 500 rescue personnel, including police and soldiers, supported by 22 excavators and 18 sniffer dogs, have been deployed in five devastated areas in Cilacap to search for seven villagers reportedly still missing as search efforts continued for a fifth day on Monday, Muhari said in a video statement.
A similar landslide had struck Central Java's Banjarnegara district just before dusk on Saturday when tons of mud plunged down the surrounding hills and buried at least 30 houses, prompting more than 800 residents to flee to safety, some of them to even higher ground prone to further landslides, Muhari said.
He said that rescuers on Monday retrieved at least two bodies from devastated areas in Banjarnegara and were searching for 27 people reported missing, while local authorities struggled to evacuate dozens of residents who fled to vulnerable hills to safer government shelters.
BNPB was conducting a weather modification operation using an aircraft with a total of 3,000 kilograms (more than three tons) of seeding material for the operation since Sunday “to ensure weather conditions remain stable to support more effective search efforts" in both Cilacap and Banjarnegara districts, Muhari said.
Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles into clouds to create precipitation. Muhari said that the aim of modifying the weather was to redirect the rain elsewhere and keep the search operation free of downpours, which could hamper the rescuers’ progress.
Images released by BNPB showed rescue workers, supported by excavators, digging desperately in villages where green-terraced rice fields were transformed into murky brown mud, and villages were covered by thick mud, rocks and uprooted trees.
Seasonal downpours cause frequent landslides and floods in Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or in fertile flood plains.
In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, rescuers recover a victim of a landslide in Cilacap, Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)
In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, rescuers recover a victim of a landslide in Cilacap, Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)
In a matter of hours Sunday, what had appeared to be a year no teams with losing records would be needed to fill out the bowl schedule suddenly changed when Notre Dame, Iowa State and Kansas State announced they would decline bids despite being eligible.
There are 41 bowls this year, and 82 teams won the necessary six games to be eligible. But Iowa State and Kansas State teams going through coaching changes almost simultaneously said they were hanging up their cleats for the season. Notre Dame, the first team left out of the College Football Playoff, followed a few hours later.
Mississippi State and Rice, both 5-7, swooped in to accept bids because they were among the first in line based on their Academic Progress Rate. The Bulldogs will play Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Owls will face Texas State in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Birmingham Bowl was still searching Sunday evening for an opponent to play Georgia Southern, according to On3.
Iowa State, Kansas State and Notre Dame weren't going to play in any of those lower-level bowls, but their decisions altered the order of selections and presumably allowed three lesser teams to move up and bowls at the bottom to scramble.
Notre Dame's decision to shut down for the year came after it was announced as the first team left out of the playoff.
“As a team, we've decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season,” the Fighting Irish said in a statement on social media. “We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we're hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026.”
Notre Dame won its last 10 games following a three-point loss to Miami and a one-point loss to Texas A&M. The Fighting Irish, which lost to Ohio State in the national championship game last season, finished 10-2 and ranked No. 9 on Sunday in The Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the CFP rankings.
Miami got into the playoff as an at-large selection after moving from No. 12 to No. 10 in the final rankings. Notre Dame dropped a spot and will now stay home for the postseason for the first time since 2016.
The Big 12 Conference said it will fine Iowa State and Kansas State $500,000 each for opting out of bowl participation. Both schools are going through coaching transitions with Matt Campbell leaving Iowa State for Penn State and Chris Klieman announcing his retirement.
“While the conference acknowledges the difficult timing around coaching changes, the Big 12 is responsible for fulfilling its contractual obligations to its bowl partners,” the Big 12 said in a statement.
Iowa State announced its players voted to not play in a bowl because the team doesn't have healthy players to safety practice and play. ISU did not mention the coaching change from Campbell to Jimmy Rogers in its statement.
The Cyclones sustained numerous injuries this season while going 8-4, and members of the athletics administration and the previous coaching staff met Sunday with the players to gauge their interest in a bowl.
“The administrative staff and coaches respect and support the players decision,” athletic director Jamie Pollard said. “Our student-athletes have had an incredible season and we are grateful for their leadership as we worked through this process with them today.”
K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said he had conversations with players and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark before deciding to decline a bowl bid. The Wildcats were 6-6 after beating Colorado at home in their final home game.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but with our coaching staff transition and several uncertainties regarding player availability, I felt it was not in our best interest to try to field a team that was not representative of Kansas State University," Taylor said. "We applaud this group for fighting back from a 2-4 record to lead us to bowl eligibility yet again, and we are happy that our seniors were able to go out on top with a victory inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.”
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Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) looks to pass against the Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
