Head Of BNPB Reminds Local Government To Anticipate Hydrometeorological Disasters

TANJUNG SELOR - Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, asked all local governments (Pemda) to increase preparedness and ability to deal with extreme weather that occurred several years earlier.

"The hydrometeorological disasters include floods, landslides, tornadoes, strong winds, extreme rainfall, and drought," said Suharyanto after holding a coordination meeting (Rakor) with the Bulungan Regency Government (Pemkab), North Kalimantan, Wednesday, February 7.

Suharyanto said that in the Kaltara Province, hydrometeorological disasters were recorded, one of which was in the Bulungan area.

"We have coordinated with the Regent. We have agreed to increase awareness and preparedness for disasters," said Suharyanto.

The readiness of BNPB, he continued, will provide assistance to the local government in the form of equipment and budget in disaster situations in areas distributed through the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) so that dagqt immediately goes to the field.

"This will help to minimize the impact that occurred in the field after the disaster," he explained.

Local governments can plan the need to be submitted to the central government in the context of handling post-disasters, including preparedness for disasters in the coming year.

"We all know that this disaster cannot be lost from our country. It will definitely happen and disasters will be repeated events," he said.

"Disasters are unavoidable from our country, we must prepare ourselves for repeated events," he continued.

Regarding the authority to decide whether there will be relocation of residents or not, especially to avoid repeated disasters, it is handed over to the local government.

"If the local government decides to relocate residents, then residents must have agreed and a new place for them to meet the appropriate requirements. The central government will assist in development," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Bulungan, Syarwani stated that in a meeting with BNPB, several points had been discussed regarding preparedness for disasters in the regions.

"Earlier, disaster potential mitigation was carried out in Bulungan," he said.

Based on the results of mitigation submitted by BNPB, there are several potential disasters in Bulungan, such as floods, landslides, and forest and land fires (karhutla).

To anticipate the potential for the disaster, several proposals will be submitted to the central government.

"I have instructed the Deputy Regent (Wabup) to lead the cross-regional team, before submitting it to BNPB," he concluded.