Potential Megathrust, BMKG Reminds Local Governments To Prepare Safe Spatial Planning

ILLUSTRATION OF DOC BMKG

JAKARTA - Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati asked the local government to prepare a safe spatial layout and be able to accommodate the community as a mitigation effort if the Megathrust earthquake occurred in Indonesia.

"How to prepare the community and local government before an earthquake with high strength that resulted in a tsunami. The local government has been invited to jointly prepare the infrastructure, prepare the system, is there an evacuation route, is there a shelter for evacuation," said Dwikorita Karnawati as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 20.

Then vulnerable zones such as areas near the sea and beaches should be vacated and not established by many buildings.

"The regional governments are also expected to prepare spatial planning there. On the beach it is limited, buildings should not be built. If the hotel is built, the hotel must be ready to face (Megathrust), the building is required to be able to withstand 8.5 magnitudes," he said.

Dwikorita Karnawati gave an example of the DIY Regional Government as one of the local governments that has prepared a safe spatial layout to deal with the potential for a Megathrust earthquake through the construction of Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulon Progo.

"Yogyakarta International Airport has been prepared to face Megathrust. So God willing, the design is designed to withstand an earthquake of 8.5 magnitudes, that is Megathrust and its elevation is higher than the tsunami elevation. So if you are at YIA airport, if there is an earthquake, there is a tsunami, don't leave the building. The safest place is there, run to the mezzanine floor and the 2nd floor and there is a Crisis Center for the community to be able to accommodate 2,000 people, the airport accommodates 10,000 people," he said.

Dwikorita said the recent warning of the potential for the Megathrust earthquake was nothing new in Indonesia.

BMKG's main goal again reminded Megathrust's potential is to educate and prepare the Indonesian people, especially since Indonesia is classified as prone to earthquakes.

"Megathrust is not a new issue. It's a very long issue, but why did BMKG and several experts remind you? The goal is for let's get mitigated immediately," he said.