JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has increased readiness at all national transportation nodes following the potential for extreme weather that is still likely to occur in a number of regions in Indonesia in the next week.
This step is taken to ensure the safety and smooth running of transportation services amid the increasing risk of hydrometeorological disasters.
Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi instructed all technical units, both at the central and regional levels, to strengthen anticipatory steps and cross-sector coordination.
"All technical units at the central and regional levels are asked to increase vigilance, carry out intensive monitoring at flood-prone and landslide points, and deploy human resources and supporting equipment for rapid response if there are operational disruptions," Dudy said in an official statement, Thursday, January 29.
Based on the weekly weather outlook of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for the period from Tuesday, January 27 to Monday, February 2, continued Dudy, heavy to extreme rain has the potential to increase the risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides.
The areas that need attention include southern Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua Mountains.
Dudy emphasized that the safety of people's travel is the government's top priority in the midst of uncertain weather conditions. According to him, operational adjustments can be made in all modes of transportation if the weather conditions are deemed to endanger safety.
"Safety is something that cannot be negotiated. In extreme weather situations like this, we choose to be more careful in order to protect the community," said Dudy.
In the road and toll road sector, the Ministry of Transportation continues to coordinate with the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), toll road operators, the Police, and local governments to ensure the readiness of infrastructure and traffic management. Traffic regulations to operational restrictions can be imposed if necessary.
Meanwhile, in the railway sector, patrol and inspection of the railway line has been increased, especially in flood-prone and landslide areas. The Ministry of Transportation has also alerted for quick handling and implemented operational restrictions to ensure the safety of train travel.
In maritime transportation and crossings, weather and wave conditions are tightened as the BMKG warns of the potential for strong winds and heavy rain in a number of waters. Adjustments to schedules and delays in departure are made if conditions do not meet safety standards.
In the air transportation sector, the Ministry of Transportation ensures the operational readiness of airports and access to airports through coordination with flight organizers and air navigation services, so that flight schedules can be adjusted to the latest weather developments.
Dudy also appealed to the public to prioritize safety in planning a trip by monitoring weather information and following the instructions of field officers.
"We appeal to the public not to force travel if weather conditions are not yet possible. Changing schedules or delaying travel is a form of mutual safety protection," he said.
The Ministry of Transportation ensures that monitoring will continue to be carried out intensively and strengthens synergy with the BMKG, local governments, security forces, and all stakeholders in the transportation sector.
This effort is aimed at ensuring that the national transportation system remains safe, reliable, and responsive to weather dynamics, while providing maximum protection for the community.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
