TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) urged the Bali provincial government to prioritize measures to prevent fires at landfills before the dry season peaks.

In a statement released on Saturday, BNPB chief Suharyanto highlighted the importance of maximizing the role of the landfill fire prevention task force in carrying out supervision and wetting landfill areas.

The task force comprises personnel from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the military, the police, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's land and forest fire control team.

Suharyanto suggested that local authorities assist the task force in obtaining the necessary equipment to maximize its effectiveness. He requested coordination with BNPB to secure tools such as water pumps.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast the peak of the dry season this year to occur from July to August.

Suharyanto emphasized that a well-functioning task force is not only an effective and targeted approach to reducing fire risk but also a cost-saving measure.

Prevention through the task force is significantly cheaper than weather modification operations to induce precipitation or aerial water dispersal, he said.

The BNPB remains prepared to provide support, including weather modification if necessary.

"However, this would be a last resort, and we need to determine if other factors are at play first," he added.

He expressed hope that the local government will take his recommendations seriously, as landfill fires pose a significant threat to public health and tourism in Bali.

ANTARA

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