TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is working with the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry to remove landslide debris caused by the earthquake in Cianjur district to prevent flash floods.

“Landslide materials, such as soil, rocks, trees, gravel, and others, must be cleaned; thus, they will not get carried away by (rain) water and cause flash floods. We are coordinating with the PUPR Ministry," BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati informed in a statement received on Wednesday.

Currently, the rainfall rate is increasing as the peak of the rainy season is drawing near, she noted adding that the peak is estimated to occur between December 2022 and January 2023.

She recalled that earlier, flash floods had occurred following quakes in rattled Palu city, Central Sulawesi province, as well as West Pasaman district, West Sumatra province.

"Thus, we have to stay vigilant for the possibility of the following disasters after the Cianjur earthquake," the BMKG head added.

Furthermore, the intensity of the aftershocks of the 5.6-magnitude earthquake, which rattled Cianjur district, West Java province, on Monday (November 21, 2022), will keep decreasing in the next four days starting Tuesday (November 22), she informed.

As of 8 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Wednesday, the BMKG had recorded a total of 162 aftershocks, with the largest measuring 4.2 and the smallest 1.2 in magnitude.

"Most of the aftershocks were not sensed (by residents), but were recorded by tools (seismographs) -- still there are some (shocks) which could be felt (by the community)," Karnawati said.

She appealed to people staying in refugee camps or their homes to remain calm and not believe any information whose source is unclear since it would only add to their anxiety.

"Ensure that you only get the official information from BMKG through our official communication channels. God willing, the condition in Cianjur district will be more stable now," she added.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said that as of 5 p.m. WIB on Tuesday, 58,362 people had taken refuge due to the disaster.

ANTARA

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News