People Urged to Save Water as El Nino to Peak in August-September
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1 August 2023 09:42 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned people of the threat of El Nino, which was predicted to peak in August - September 2023.
“It is predicted that El Nino will be of weak to moderate intensity,” BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati said, adding that the weather phenomenon is feared to affect water availability or trigger drought leading to food security.
On this basis, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Lieutenant General Suharyanto asked the local government through the regional agencies or BPBD to educate the public. “Residents are urged to use water wisely,” he asserted.
Suharyanto said the agency also prepared other mitigation measures, including cloud seeding to create artificial rain. BNPB, in collaboration with BMKG and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), performed a Weather Modification Technology (TMC) operation to ensure the water supply in lakes, ponds, rivers, and wells
The BNPB is also aware of the possibility of forest and land fires. Suharyanto mentioned fatal wildfire incidents in 2015 and 2019. “We can’t let it happen in 2023,” he said.
Anticipating land and forest fires
The Presidential Instruction No. 3 of 2020 on forest and land fire management stipulated six priority provinces; South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.
BNPB claimed to be prepared to deal with forest and land fires as 31 helicopters equipped with water bombs are ready to extinguish massive blazes. However, the handling is prioritized via the land.
Suharyanto also said the agency collaborated with all units in the ministries, agencies, and local governments. At present, he reported land and forest fires have occurred in a number of regencies, even outside the priority provinces. “The task of BNPB is to prevent it from expanding.”
BNPB has conducted a Weather Modification Technology operation to tackle fires in six provinces throughout 2023. They are Riau, West Kalimantan, Jambi, South Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, West Java, and South Kalimantan. The first operation was launched on April 19, while the latest one was on July 23, 2023.
MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR
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