BNPB Conducts Mangrove Planting for Tsunami Mitigation in East Java

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) conducted mangrove planting at Mbah Drajid Beach, Lumajang District, East Java, as a tsunami mitigation measure in the region and to commemorate World Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5.

"Fully grown mangrove trees could protect us from tsunami waves," BNPB Chief Secretary Lilik Kurniawan noted in the press statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.

The mangrove tree planting measure apart from being a mitigatory step against tsunami in vulnerable areas is also aimed at increasing the residents' awareness of potential earthquake and tsunami threats, he remarked.

"Our preparedness is essential for mitigating disaster effects. While living in tsunami-prone areas, we should understand how and where we must evacuate during a tsunami event. As we all desire safety, we must learn and understand how to save ourselves and continuously implement our mitigation measures," Kurniawan stated.

All societal elements should partake in disaster mitigation efforts as the responsibility to ensure safety does not solely fall on the central and regional authorities, he emphasized.

"The central and regional authorities bear the main responsibility of disaster mitigation, but other government institutions, the police, and the military must also support the national and regional disaster mitigation agencies. Apart from the government, the residents' resilience and participation in disaster mitigation efforts are essential, as most disasters occur in the local scope, and their support to the effort will be helpful," the chief secretary remarked.

Meanwhile, BNPB acting Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre Head Abdul Muhari reminded that no device could forecast when an earthquake will occur.

"So far, no technology has been able to predict the exact time and location of the next earthquake, but we understood that a large earthquake in future will potentially be centered south of Java Island, as a seismic megathrust zone has been detected there," Muhari noted.

He urged residents living in coastal areas to remember to promptly evacuate to a higher area if a huge earthquake lasted for 20-30 seconds.

"If an earthquake occurs for 20-30 seconds or more, residents living in coastal areas must evacuate, as the earthquake potentially causes a tsunami. We must encourage nature-based tsunami mitigation by planting vegetation in coastal areas and protect sand dunes that could break tsunami waves and reduce its speed," the acting centre head stated.

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