The Malang district government, East Java, has prepared a budget of some Rp5 billion (almost US$353,000) for preparations in connection with the region’s disaster mitigation efforts.

Head of Malang District M. Sanusi noted on Monday that budget allocation for disaster mitigation was included in the unexpected spending fund of the regional revenue and spending budget.

“The budget is included in the unexpected spending fund, amounting to Rp5 billion (almost US$353,000). There is no increase, and it is same in comparison with last year,” he noted.

Sanusi stated that as of now, personnel in the Malang District area were ready to handle disaster events. The Malang district government has also readied various equipment and made preparations that include the readiness of medical personnel.

Sanusi noted that in addition to readying several equipment and medical personnel, his administration had set up a public kitchen, if required, later to handle disasters in the Malang District area.

“Theoretically, we are ready, (be it in terms of) equipment, personnel, as well as firefighters and public kitchens. If a disaster occurs, they will spring back to action,” he noted.

He drew attention to several areas that had become a cause for concern for the Malang district government, as they were prone to disasters. The coastal area of Malang District is susceptible to earthquakes and tsunamis.

In addition, the sub-districts of Pujon, Ngantang, and Kasembon are prone to landslides, and the Sumbermanjing Wetan might experience flooding, he revealed.

Malang District’s geographical conditions, topped off with the transitional phase of the season, had caused erratic weather conditions, which are potentially causal to extreme weather that in turn would trigger hydrometeorological disasters, he stated.

“Hence, all parties certainly need to continue to improve their preparedness, both in terms of individual personnel and equipment resources,” he said.

Source: Antara News