Govt Warns of Hydrometeorological Disaster During General Elections in West Java

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin warned of hydrometeorological disasters such as flooding, landslide, and tornado during the upcoming general elections on February 14.

"Since BMKG forecasted that extreme downpour season will peak in February and March, during the general elections," he said on Friday.

A number of simulations are prepared to face the potential disasters happening during the election, such as emergency tent installation, logistics, and election officers' evacuation in case of flooding, and evacuation in case of landslides.

Bey took Bogor Regency as an example of vulnerable areas, saying that "all regions must be anticipated and to avoid being caught off guard."

Public health facilities or Puskesmas are also on standby during the general elections, Bey said. "Learning from the 2019 general elections, the provincial health office has coordinated with Puskesmas to be alert during the election," he added.

The acting head of West Java's Regional Disaster Management Agency or BOBD Dani Ramdan said that out of over 6,000 villages in West Java, 1,800 are deemed vulnerable in the face of hydrometeorological disasters. "There are over 5,000 polling stations which require a high-level vigilance," he said. "Even if we have deemed these locations relatively safe, the road heading to these polling stations is at risk of flooding."

Dani said that BPBD officers are being prepared at the district level since there is a lack of personnel at the village level. However, he asked everyone to remain calm in case of a disaster. 

"Don't panic, but remain alert," he urged.

AHMAD FIKRI

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