TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ahmad Heryawan, West Java Governor, said that he has prepared Rp75 billion in the Contingency Budget Post to anticipate the risks of disaster this year.
“It must be prepared every year. We have to prepare the budget if disaster happens,” said Ahmad Heryawan in Bandung, Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
Aher, Ahmad Heryawan’s nickname, said that similar budget is also being prepared by every district/municipality government to anticipate potential natural disasters. “Districts/municipalities also have similar fund. If the fund is insufficient, provincial government will help,” he said.
According to Aher, disaster mitigation has been done continously as the peak of rainy season draws near. West Java government has prepared anticipatory measures using disaster prone area index map of Geological Agency on a monthly basis.
“It (disaster) is unpredictable; we have to be ready to avoid disaster prone areas,” he said. He claimed that disaster occurrences earlier this year are relatively lower compared to the same period last year. “West Sumatra is the one who currently suffers. I hope it’s being addressed quickly.”
Head of Emergency and Logistic of West Java’s Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Budiman, said that West Java would enter the rainy season with high precipitation. “It’s now in landslide and flood emergency status,” he said.
According to Budiman, all districts/municipalities in West Java has also set the same status following the establishment of emergency status set forth in the Governor’s Decree starting from January 4, 2016 to April 4, 2016. “I can confirm that the potential disasters are floods, landslides and tornadoes,” he said.
Throughout this month, he said, floods and landslides had hit several points, among others West Bandung, Bandung District, Tasikmalaya, Indramayu, Sumedang and Garut. Landslides had also occurred at several roads in West Java.
“In general southern and central parts of West Java are landslide prone areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Water Resources Management Department Edy S Nasution said that around 250 head of household had been evacuated due to flood caused by broken embankment of Cimanuk watercourse, Cantigi Sub-district, Indramayu, Monday, February 7, 2016.
According to Edy, several locations in West Java are often hit by floods, for example Dayeuhkolot in Bandung District and several areas across Citarum River. “Indeed, water level is increasing; but the flood in the area will occur all year as long as retention basin at Cieunteung floodway is not completed,” he said.
AHMAD FIKRI
