TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Lieut. Gen. Doni Monardo called on the public to be alert in facing extreme weather in Indonesia.

“People are appealed to raise vigilance to deal with high intensity of rain,” said Doni during a coordinating meeting on the emergency management, such as flooding, flash flood, landslides, and tornado, at Graha BNPB building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, December 17.

Doni asked the people to avoid disaster-prone areas, especially those living near rivers. “And those living in lowland areas and near hills because of possible landslides,” he added.

In light of potential tornado, he reminded the people to cut down branches of trees to reduce its burden while being swayed by winds. “So when strong winds or tornado hit, the trees will not fell.”

Additionally, Doni urged volunteers and environmental activists to monitor side streams in a bid to avert the emergence of dams due to wood logs which hinder river flows and caused flash floods.

Attended the meeting were police officers, the Indonesian military (TNI) personnel, National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), regional disaster mitigation bodies (BPBD) throughout the country, volunteers, NGOs, academicians, and mass organizations.

Doni asserted that the meeting was aimed at preparing anticipative measures and increasing the readiness to face severe weather for the next several weeks.

HALIDA BUNGA