BMKG Talks of Early Warning System in UNGA's Climate Summit

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) held the Climate Summit at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. The head of the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati also participated in the event. 

Dwikorita spoke at the summit with the theme of "Early Warning, Early Action", stating that the early warning system has to be informed through easy-to-digest and relevant knowledge to cater to the public's needs.

Also attending the panel discussion at the Climate Summit are the WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas, Head of the UN Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori, and Chief Sustainability Officer Google Kate Brandt.

"Indonesia goes through a significant amount of disaster threats, and with the population of 275 million, BMKG carries out measures to develop an early warning system that will reach every nook and crater of society as well as narrow the gap of access to safety," Dwikorita said on Friday, September 22, 2023.

According to her, the success of an early warning system could be reached if there is no gap in society regarding the knowledge and capability for a quick and appropriate response to the warning.

Meanwhile, the early detection system is based on sustainable systemic monitoring and accurate prediction against the development of a hazardous phenomenon. The system shall be supported by swift, precise, and accurate communication and information dissemination. Indonesia, Dwikorita said, has a lot of homework in regard to this. 

BMKG strives to ensure all stakeholders understand and acknowledge the danger that lies before them with the early warning system. "To gain knowledge about what actions to take swiftly and precisely for a chance of survival in case of sudden disaster," she said.

From a communication standpoint, Dwikorita mentioned, an early warning system has to be broadcasted evenly to reach all potentially affected populations, with clear and easy-to-digest instructions. "The challenge regarding communication is the loss of connection in disaster-affected areas. This needs special attention, one of which is by providing a satellite-based communication channel," she added.

Active participation from the public is the key to establishing a reliable and resilient early warning system Dwikorita concluded.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

Editor's Choice: Indonesia Issues Early Warning of Forest Fires in South Sumatra

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News