TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) held a meeting with the West Sumatra Province administration that focused on the region’s earthquake and tsunami mitigation.

The meeting was attended by BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Doni Monardo, West Sumatra Governor and Deputy Governor, and the region’s legislative council chairman.

“There are eight megathrusts that need special attention, one of which we really need to look out for is the Mentawai Islands District,” said Dwikorita in his written statement on Wednesday, February 6.

The eight locations were uncovered through a BMKG research using a B-value spatial distribution analysis that according to Dwikorita has been followed-up by placing additional members to conduct field monitoring in the region.

The BMKG will also install 50 Earthquake Early Warning Systems (EEWS) across West Sumatra’s coastline and 15 warning receiver systems (WRS). BMKG also plans to conduct a socio-cultural approach to educate locals on disaster mitigations.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH