BNPB Issues Tropical Cyclone Warning to Provinces

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has appealed to all Indonesian provinces to remain on alert for the potential seeds of tropical cyclone 9AW detected by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

BNPB deputy chief for prevention Lilik Kurniawan wrote to all provincial governments on Tuesday, asking them to keep watch for the tropical cyclone, issue early warnings, and take precautionary measures.

"BNPB has instructed provincial governments to take several steps, and the first is stepping up coordination with local BMKG stations (to monitor) the development of the potential seeds of the tropical cyclone," he said in the written statement released on Tuesday.

Provincial governments must intensify vigilance for potential extreme weather, including whirlwinds, heavy rains accompanied by flashes/lightning, hail, and the impact of the extreme weather, such as floods, landslides, flash floods, and strong winds.

Kurniawan called for inter-agency and apparatus coordination in taking precautionary measures, in accordance with the main task, function, and authority of each of the agencies and apparatuses, with the aim of thwarting any potential impact of the storm.

The coordination would need to target risk communication to communities in high-risk areas, warning them of the potential danger so that they can keep away from valleys, rivers, landslide-prone slopes, and coastlines in the event of a disaster, he said.

In addition, the coordination must also be aimed at preparing and managing human resources, logistics, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure to deal with any emergency situation and prepare health facilities in accordance with the COVID-19 health protocols, he added.

He also appealed to provincial governments to prepare to evacuate people from high-risk areas, such as valleys, river basin areas, landslide-prone slopes, and coastal areas.

"Activate disaster standby teams to monitor nearby environments in the event of initial phenomenon of flash flood, landslide, strong wind, and high tide," he urged.

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ANTARA