El Nino Strengthens, BPBD DKI Requests Residents to Stop Burning Garbage

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has asked residents to stop burning garbage as the El Nino phenomenon strengthens, which has the potential to trigger a long drought, high temperatures, and increased fire risk.

The Head of the DKI Jakarta BPBD, Marulitua Sijabat, emphasized that extreme weather conditions due to El Nino must be anticipated early, especially from the potential for fires that are often triggered by residents' activities.

"We appeal to the public not to carry out open burning and increase vigilance against electrical installations and the use of fire," Marulitua told reporters, Thursday, April 30.

According to him, burning garbage in open spaces risks triggering a fire that quickly spreads, especially in densely populated residential areas and dry land when rainfall decreases.

BPBD also asked the public to be more alert to the potential for emergencies and immediately report them so that handling can be done quickly.

"We urge the public to remain vigilant, maintain the environment, and immediately report potential emergencies through the Jakarta Siaga 112 service. Preparedness is the key to minimizing the risk of impact from these extreme climate phenomena," he explained.

On the other hand, BPBD ensures that a number of mitigation measures have been prepared, ranging from coordination with BMKG to disseminating early warning information to the public.

Preparedness is also strengthened through disaster-resilient villages and volunteer networks to face the potential of drought and its downstream impacts.

To anticipate fires during the dry season, BPBD together with the Fire and Rescue Service (Gulkarmat) carried out monitoring in vulnerable areas.

"Together with the Gulkarmat Office, monitoring is carried out in fire-prone areas, including dense settlements and dry land areas," he said.

In addition, BPBD ensures the readiness of standby posts, hydrants, and firefighting fleets, including water supplies at vulnerable points so that responses can be carried out quickly when a fire occurs.