BMKG Asks For Topographic Curam Regions In 7 West Manggarai Districts To Be Alert To Landslide

Illustration of landslide material due to high rainfall intensity. (Pixabay)

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reminded residents in seven sub-districts in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara to be aware of potential hydrometerological disasters such as landslides and floods.

"West Manggarai is alert to the impact of heavy rains such as landslides and floods," said Head of the Komodo Sti Nenotek Meteorological Station in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Monday, November 21.

Seven sub-districts that need to be aware of landslides and floods are Kuwus, West Kuwus, Ndoso, pacar, Mbeling, Sano Nggoang, and Boleng sub-districts.

Sti said this weather early warning had been issued by the BMKG considering the condition of the NTT region which was in the rainy season period with increased rain cloud growth which caused the potential for light to wide rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds.

In the seven areas he mentioned, Sti reminded to be aware of the impact of rain and strong winds, in addition to floods and landslides, but also fallen trees, slippery roads, and lightning strikes.

"For regions that have a steep topography or cliffs, they must be aware of the potential for landslides or flash floods when it rains long," he said.

Sti explained that several other impacts of high-intensity rain are low bridges that cannot be crossed and dangerous flood flows that can disrupt community activities on a medium scale. There is also the potential for damage to agricultural land due to this high rainfall.

For this reason, people must be careful when doing activities outside the home. However, if nothing urgent, people are asked not to do activities outside the home.

"People living on the slopes must evacuate if it rains heavily. This must be done to avoid landslides," he asserted.

The flood incident itself occurred on Saturday 19 November. The flood caused the overflow of rice fields to cover the road, causing traffic jams on Jalan Trans Flores, Culu, Tondong Belang Village, Mbeling District.

The West Manggarai Regency Government together with the West Manggarai Police also went down to handle the disaster. Apart from West Manggarai, Sti asked Manggarai and East Manggarai Regencies to be aware of the same thing.