BNPB EWS Test In Yogyakarta Before Installed Around The River On Mount Marapi

A number of residents stood on the riverbanks after being flooded with cold lava that hit Agam Regency, West Sumatra. (DOC. ANTARA)

The workshop test or workshop for the early warning system (EWS) will soon be accelerated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) which will be installed in a number of rivers that originate from Mount Marapi, West Sumatra.

"In the near future, BNPB will conduct an EWS system test with BNPB partners in Yogyakarta before being installed in several rivers on Mount Marapi," said BNPB Emergency Resources Support Director Agus Riyanto when contacted in Padang, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 18.

Agus Riyanto conveyed that the early warning system test in Yogyakarta was motivated by the experience of the area using EWS when it was hit by the cold lava flood of Mount Merapi.

"So, after the system test is complete, in the near future we will implement or install it in Tanah Datar Regency, Agam Regency and Padang Panjang City," said Gusri as he is familiarly called.

He explained that later the installation of EWS equipment could not be done directly or needed several stages and trials. After the first phase of installation, there will be additional tools.

"This takes a while and requires various studies or studies including studying the results of surveys in the field some time ago," he said.

The plan is for BNPB to cooperate with relevant agencies to install 23 early warning system tools in a number of rivers that originate from Mount Marapi. The details are three points on the river which leads to the city of Padang Panjang, and 10 units each in Tanah Datar and Agam Regency.

However, the number of EWS is still dynamic or depending on the conditions, needs and results of the survey and the study of the team in the field. Because, it could be more or less than 23 EWS.

"What is clear is that we will first install it at priority points," he concluded.