17 Regencies In South Sumatra Asked To Set Disaster Alert Status

South Sumatra BPBD/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has asked BPBDs in 17 districts/cities in the province to immediately establish a flood and landslide hydrometeorological disaster alert status.

Head of South Sumatra BPBD Iriansyah in Palembang, said that this was done to respond to weather conditions that were predicted to increase due to anomalies. Therefore, immediately set a disaster alert status.

"Disasters must be fast, must be prepared, so don't wait any longer," said Iriansyah, quoted on Saturday, November 6.

According to him, with the stipulation of the alert status, every personnel will also prepare disaster emergency equipment and supplies, such as boats, generators, emergency tents, rigging, land vehicles, so that whenever a disaster occurs, they can be used and in excellent condition.

"Technical movements become more effective and efficient," he added.

This preparedness is expected to last a long time, as recommended by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which reports that until the first quarter of 2022, South Sumatra will experience the phenomenon of medium-scale rain of 200-300 mm accompanied by strong winds.

"If there is an increase more than recommended, the status will increase to an emergency," he said.

Previously, the Palembang National SAR Agency (Basarnas) had alerted hundreds of its personnel in all sub-regional areas in districts/cities.

Head of Basarnas Palembang Hery Marantika added that personnel are assigned to monitor disaster events which are predicted to increase until March 2022.

"We have hundreds of personnel on standby. 70 of them are concentrated in Palembang and its surroundings, which are prone to flooding," he said.

According to him, rescue equipment, such as rubber boats, land vehicles, diving oxygen and other supporting equipment have been confirmed to be ready for use at any time.

"This equipment is important in the process of evacuating victims in the event of a disaster," he said.

In addition to ensuring the readiness of personnel and equipment, he continued, Basarnas also prepared a disaster complaint post that was connected to disaster stakeholders, such as BPBD, Tagana or TNI/Polri.

"The post is active for 24 hours using the emergency service number 115," he added.

He hopes that people will increase their vigilance, such as not doing activities on the banks of the river if they are not really needed. This is because the intensity of rain for some time in the future is predicted to be low and medium scale of 200-300 mm with a large potential for disaster.

"The public must pay attention to this appeal, because prevention is better than cure," he said.

Based on the recapitulation from the South Sumatra BPBD, during 2021, there were at least 136 hydrometeorological disasters and impacts, including 17 cases of flooding, 17 tornadoes, five flash floods, 10 landslides and 87 fires.

In addition, there are 676 houses in damaged condition, 1,766 houses submerged, one school, four suspension bridges, and three prayer rooms.