BPBD Reminds NTT Residents To Beware Of Hydrometeorological Disasters

Head of BPBD NTT Ambrosius Kodo in Kupang (Photo: Antara)

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Nusa Tenggara Province reminded local residents to be aware of extreme weather that could cause hydrometeorological disasters as a result of 98S tropical cyclone seeds in the Arafuru Sea.

"The emergence of tropical cyclone seeds of 98S is in the Arafuru Sea, precisely around 7.5'LS 132.5 east longitude can cause extreme weather as an indirect impact on April 8-11 in NTT," said Head of BPBD NTT Ambrosius Kodo in Kupang, Friday.

He said this was related to the efforts of the NTT Provincial Government in dealing with the potential for extreme weather after the emergence of 98S tropical cyclone seeds in the Arafuru Sea.

He said the seeds of tropical cyclone 98S in the Arafuru Sea could cause extreme weather as an indirect impact on April 8-11, 2023 in a number of areas of NTT.

He said BMKG Kupang had given an early warning against the presence of 98S tropical cyclone seeds in the Arafuru Sea, precisely around 7.5"LS 132.5" BT which could cause extreme weather in NTT.

He said several areas in this island-based province were faced with 98S tropical cyclone seeds, namely Timor Island, Rote Ndao, and Sabu Raijua.

He added that the impact of the tropical cyclone was rain with moderate to heavy intensity, strong winds, high waves.

In addition, the potential for hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods, flash floods, landslides, lightning strikes, and fallen trees.

BPBD NTT has also written to all religious leaders to urge people not to panic but to continue to increase their awareness of the potential for extreme weather as a result of the emergence of tropical cyclone 98S in the Arafuru Sea.

He hopes that religious leaders will carry out mitigation by urging people to cut trees or branches that fall easily around houses or places of religious activity.

"In addition, religious communities are also to repair and strengthen the roof of the house, while the fishermen do not go to sea for the time being," he said.

He hopes that when there is rain with a heavy intensity of more than an hour and an object with a visibility of 30 meters, it is not clearly visible, residents who live around the river and in the slope area should immediately evacuate to a safer place first.