The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has urged the Regional Disaster MitigationOffices (BPBD) in 34 provinces to take precautionary measures against likely hydrometeorological disasters, including floods, flash floods, landslides, and strong winds.
The need for the local governments and community to be prepared refers to information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding the likelihood of La Nina occurring in Indonesia from October 2021 to February 2022.
“Historical records show that La Nina in 2020 caused an increase in the monthly rainfall accumulation in Indonesia by 20 percent to 70 percent from its normal condition,” the agency’s Deputy for Prevention Prasinta Dewi noted in a statement received here, Friday.
Dewi stressed that the increase in rainfall could potentially cause hydrometeorological disasters. Hence, she appealed to the BPBD in each province to stay aware and instructed the BPBD in each city and district to take requisite precautionary measures.
Steps that can be taken include improving coordination with the BMKG in regions as well as periodically monitoring climate information, weather developments, and early warnings of extreme weather.
In addition, the BPBDs must boost coordination between related agencies to take anticipatory measures in accordance with their main tasks, functions, and authorities.
Dewi also underscored the importance of BPBDs’ support in improving the community’s preparedness, especially for those living in disaster-prone areas.
To this end, her side expects the local officers to disseminate information to raise public awareness and actively involve the community in the disaster preparedness team.
Dewi noted that her agency had information on disaster hazards at the village level, which can be accessed in the Catalog of Disaster-Prone Villages. Meanwhile, in the context of disaster risk, she noted that the local governments and community can visit the inaRISK website or application that can help build awareness and preparedness of all parties at the regional level.
As a precautionary measure against the impact of hydrometeorological disasters, she called for early preparations related to human resources, logistics, equipment and preparation of health service facilities in accordance with the COVID-19 health protocols.
Source: Antara News