The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that 2,552 natural disasters, largely floods, tornadoes, and landslides, had hit Indonesia this year until this day.

According to BNPB’s data that ANTARA received here on Wednesday, 1,062 incidents of floods, 650 incidents of tornadoes, 511 landslides, and 263 incidents of forest and land fires had occurred.

Some 27 instances of earthquake, 15 incidents of droughts, and 24 instances of tidal waves and abrasion occurred.

Moreover, non-natural disasters struck, such as the spread of COVID-19 that the government had determined to have spread across the country ever since April 13, 2020.

These disasters resulted in various tragedies in the form of loss of life or material damages.

It was noted that during the period from January 1 to November 24, 2021, some 7,522,866 people had borne the brunt of the disaster and had to evacuate, 584 people passed away, 76 were declared missing, and 13,087 people got injured.

Moreover, some 135,812 houses were destroyed, with 17,305 of them incurring heavy damages; 24,293 experiencing moderate damages; and 94,214 houses suffering light damages.

Moreover, 3,622 public facilities that incurred damage comprise 1,462 educational facilities, 1,807 praying facilities, and 353 health facilities. Meanwhile, some 503 offices and 395 bridges were also ruined by disasters.

In related news, the Coordinating Ministry for Cultural Development and Cultural Affairs has encouraged the effort to bolster precautionary measures against hydrometeorological disasters to prevent floods and landslides.

The Ministry’s official, Sudirman, at an event on Tuesday, noted that 98 percent of the previous 2,431 disasters in Indonesia were hydrometeorological in nature.

Sudirman expounded that his ministry had a duty and function in the disaster mitigation mechanisms and will continue to push for precautionary measures and readiness against hydrometeorological disasters.

Source: Antara News