BNPB Warns About La Nina Impact in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) warns the public of the impacts of La Nina that could likely occur during the period from October 2021 to February 2022 in Indonesia.

"We are now not only fighting the pandemic but also other disasters, specifically the hydrometeorological disaster," Head of BNPB, Liutenant General Ganip Warsito, noted in a written statement received here, Saturday.

Warsito held a La Nina Anticipation National Coordination Meeting online with related parties to prepare anticipatory steps.

Indonesia was largely hit by hydrometeorological disasters -- floods, cyclones, and landslides -- in the last five years, according to the BNPB.

The anticipatory efforts were made by checking and ensuring the readiness of personnel, tools, facilities, and other supporting infrastructure. This can be achieved by holding preparatory meetings by all components in the provinces and districts and cities.

Furthermore, at the regional level, the local government were urged to prepare a contingency plan for its regions. The BNPB has also instructed the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPD) to prepare a strategic plan for dealing with hydrometeorological disasters.

"The government can also prepare an emergency alert status in its territory if needed," Warsito noted.

Efforts to mitigate hydrometeorological disasters in the short term can be made by planting vegetation, cleaning waterways, repairing river embankment, and optimizing drainage strengthening, Warsito noted.

In addition, the BNPB has urged local governments, especially BPBDs, to always educate the public regarding preparations for hydrometeorological disasters.

The public should learn about the dangers of prolonged spells of rains in the slope area along the river. If it rains for over an hour, with visibility less than 30 meters, then the community must be evacuated temporarily.

For long-term mitigation, Warsito emphasized that spatial planning must conducted accordingly and take into account the disaster aspects.

"In the case of landslides, people must avoid using critical land as a housing complex," he added.

Read: La Nina Could Increase Rainfall by 70 Percent, BMKG Warns

ANTARA