Local Governments Must Improve Preparedness For Hydrometeorological Disasters

Illustration. (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) reminded all stakeholders, especially local governments (Pemda), to continue to improve preparedness in dealing with hydrometeorological disasters.

"Even though it is now at the end of the rainy season, we still have to be aware of the potential for hydrometeorological disasters considering that there has been an increase in the intensity of rain in recent times," said Assistant Deputy for Disaster Mitigation and Social Conflict at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Andre Notohamijoyo, quoted from Antara, Saturday, February 25.

Andre Notohamijoyo explained that the flood disaster that occurred in a number of areas in Indonesia in February 2023 was a warning to all stakeholders to continue to increase preparedness for potential disasters that occurred.

He said that local governments that have a high risk or are vulnerable to hydrometeorological disasters must take mitigation steps and increase preparedness based on their disaster risk.

"The steps that need to be taken are first, increasing preparedness through optimizing capacity preparation in drainage and water management systems as well as water absorption and storage systems to optimally prevent floods and landslides," he said.

Second, the preparation of operational capacity and reliability of lake reservoirs, reservoirs, reservoirs, retention ponds and storage of artificial water in the community.

"It is necessary to ensure that everything can operate properly for storage and use of clean water as well as control potential flooding," he said.

Third, make a statement of emergency alert for floods and landslides if according to BMKG data or information indicates an increase in the frequency of high rainfall that has the potential to cause floods and landslides.

Fourth, optimizing the role and function of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as the coordinator in dealing with floods and landslides.

"Fifth, urge the public to form a flood disaster alert post," he said.

He also added that increasing the intensity of rainfall could increase the potential for floods, flash floods, landslides, and tornadoes.

"So it needs to be anticipated early through disaster mitigation efforts," he said.