Disaster Potential Still High, BPBD Proposes Extension Of Sleman Disaster Emergency Status

Illustration of lightning grabbing fields ahead of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. (Pixabay)

DIY - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sleman Regency in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) has proposed an extension of the disaster emergency alert status to anticipate the potential for hydrometeorological disasters this rainy season.

"We get information from the BMKG if the potential for disasters is still high, for that we will apply for an extension of the hydrometeorological disaster emergency status," said the Head of BPBD Sleman Makwan Regency in Sleman, Monday, February 26, as reported by Antara.

Previously, the disaster emergency alert status in Sleman Regency was enforced from December 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.

"Because potential disasters are still possible, we will apply for an extension of the emergency alert status," he said.

According to him, with the Decree (SK) of the Sleman Regent on Disaster Emergency Alert, it is hoped that the community and the government can be better prepared to face various potential disasters.

"We estimate that there is still potential for hydrometeorological disasters during the rainy season to transitions, especially hydrometeorological disasters that often accompany during the rainy season, such as floods, landslides and strong winds due to weather anomalies," he said.

He said BPBD Sleman also continues to coordinate with the Yogyakarta Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to conduct a special study that can determine the extension period of the emergency alert status.

"The extension of the disaster emergency alert status is very necessary, because the high intensity of rain in recent times has also triggered potential disasters on the slopes of Mount Merapi. Such as cold lava floods in the river upstream of Merapi. Moreover, the high activity of Mount Merapi which causes volcanic material at the peak of Merapi also continues to grow," he said.

Makwan said that data collection in the field in the last few days recorded disasters in the form of floods in the areas of Jalan Raya Candi Gebang, Ring Road Utara, and Ambarrukmo Plaza in the Kapanewon (District) Depok area.

"This incident was due to the rain or drainage channels in the area being unable to accommodate the rainwater discharge," he said.

In addition, he said, BPBD Sleman also handled disaster events in the form of landslides to fallen trees at dozens of points in Sleman Regency.

"There are two schools whose walls collapsed after heavy rainwater was eroded, namely SD Negeri Karangasem, Condongcatur, Depok and TK Al Amin, Sinduharjo, Ngaglik," he said.