BPBD: Medan Residents Who Live In Disaster-Prone Areas Must Be Tough And Sigap

The North Sumatra Regional Police Mobile Brigade Unit evacuated residents affected by the floods in Medan, North Sumatra, Wednesday (27/11/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Medan City, North Sumatra asked residents to be more resilient in disasters. Therefore, residents are given training and simulations of disaster-responsibility houses (RITB) preparedness.

"Residents, especially those living in disaster-prone areas, can be more resilient if a disaster occurs," said Head of BPBD Medan City Yunita Sari, ANTARA, Sunday, January 12, 2025.

According to him, residents who live along the river, such as Medan Maimun District, are often affected by natural disasters, in the form of floods sent from mountainous areas.

Based on data from the Medan City BPBD, 24,874 residents of Medan City were affected by flooding in 10 sub-districts due to overflowing rivers in Medan, November 27, 2024.

There are three rivers that have overflowed through the city of Medan, namely the Deli River, Babura River, and Sei Belawan River.

"If a disaster occurs, then response measures from the community are needed to minimize both the side of the victim or the loss due to the disaster. If you wait for the officer, it will take time," said Yunita.

His party also said that there are three groups that are vulnerable in the event of natural disasters, namely toddlers, the elderly (elderly), and people with disabilities.

Therefore, with disaster response knowledge, residents will know first what to do, such as saving disaster-prone groups.

"It is better if residents live in areas where disasters often occur, such as floods, then each family member must be given responsibility. The first thing that is done is not to panic," said Yunita.