Tropical Cyclone Strengthens Ahead of the Year-end Holidays, the Government is Asked to Be Quick in Tourist Areas

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Syaiful Huda, asked the central and regional governments to increase vigilance following the strengthening of Tropical Cyclone 93S ahead of the end-of-year holiday season. He emphasized that disaster preparedness must be improved, especially in areas that are tourist destinations, especially Java and Bali which are potentially affected.

"We hope that all parties will be alert to the strengthening of Cyclone 93S in several areas of Java and Bali in the near future. The government needs to intensify monitoring the development and prepare strategies to anticipate hydrometeorological disasters," Huda told reporters, Thursday, December 18.

Huda emphasized the importance of paying special attention to densely populated areas, including tourist destinations such as Bali. According to him, the experience of the flood disaster that had hit Bali and became an international spotlight should be a lesson together.

"The government needs to pay more attention to tourist destinations. The form includes real-time warnings of extreme weather that are easy to understand, integration of BMKG warnings into tourist applications, and marking of vulnerable zones at tourist destinations," explained Huda.

The commission's leadership, which is partnering with the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Public Works and the BMKG, also reminded that extreme weather has the potential to disrupt the safety of tourists and transportation systems, such as the closure of airports and ports, the collapse of bridges, to slippery road conditions and landslides.

In addition, said Huda, natural-based tourist destinations such as beaches, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls are the most risky locations during extreme weather.

"This condition must really be a serious concern, both by the government and tourists," he said.

Furthermore, Huda also appealed to tourists to increase vigilance while on vacation in the midst of extreme weather. The West Java district legislator also asked tourists to regularly monitor the BMKG's early warning, including daily weather information, sea waves, strong winds, and the potential for extreme rain.

"Don't force yourself to leave if the situation of a high-risk tourist destination. Make a backup plan so that the holiday remains enjoyable and safe for yourself and your family. Remember, there is no tourism that is worth your life," concluded Huda.