BNPB Beware Of The Impact Of La Nina On Cold Lava Floods Of Merapi

Mount Merapi (BETWEEN PHOTOS)

YOGYAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has asked all parties to be aware of the impact of the La Nina climate anomaly phenomenon on the potential for cold lava floods due to the eruption of Mount Merapi.

Deputy for Prevention of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lilik Kurniawan during a virtual press conference, Friday, said that the La Nina phenomenon is expected to occur in December 2020, January and February 2021 with rainfall that will increase by 40 percent from last year.

"So that we really consider the cold lava flood these months," he said as quoted by Antara, Saturday, November 14.

Lilik said that the rain that flushed the top of Mount Merapi must be anticipated. If the material appears due to the eruption, it could be dragged by cold lava floods.

To anticipate this, the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) and DIY BPBD have installed CCTV cameras in a number of major rivers in Yogyakarta since 2010.

"We can see from minute to minute the position of the floods and how the contingency plans in the direction of Yogyakarta City are related to the threat of cold lava floods," said Lilik.

BNPB, he said, would ensure the activity of sirens in the event of an eruption or the impact of an eruption and monitor damaged evacuation routes at several points.

"We will confirm the sirens there again. Are these installed? Do they use kentongan or use other sounds," said Lilik.

He reminded the public to access information on the development of Mount Merapi activities through the BPPTKG. Not only for residents in Sleman Regency, but also for residents in the Klaten, Boyolali and Magelang areas.

"So there are three threats that we take into account this year, namely the eruption of Mount Merapi, the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of La Nina related to the lava flood," he continued.