Jabodetabek Extreme Weather, Government Prepares Steps To Anticipate Disaster Threats For Wet Hydrometeorology

Extreme Weather Illustration (ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, who chaired the meeting, stated that the government will continue to try to mitigate the impact of disasters caused by high rainfall.

"It will continue to be modified by the weather carried out by BNPB and BMKG. This modification will reduce excessive rainfall, although it cannot completely eliminate it," said Pratikno.

He added that the preparedness of technical officers in the field must be maintained. Standby apples will be carried out regularly and this week a command post will be formed with related parties in BNPB, so that monitoring can be carried out regularly.

"It is hoped that these steps can minimize the impact of the upcoming disaster. If the flood is inevitable, we are ready to respond quickly so that the burden on the community can be minimized," concluded Pratikno.

On the same occasion, the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, revealed that the Weather Modification Operation (OMC) was one of the effective steps in reducing extreme rainfall.

This OMC is very effective although it is not the only way to reduce disasters. We are ready to move if anyone asks for OMC after the emergency status is announced. We hope that OMC can reduce the number of extreme rains, as seen in Jakarta in recent days, which shows that OMC was successfully implemented properly," explained Suharyanto.

He also added that if there is still a potential for flooding that threatens, OMC will be carried out more intensively, including night flying, especially in West Java which has set a one-provincial emergency alert status. OMC will be carried out massively based on BMKG estimates and recommendations.

“Untuk Provinsi Jawa Barat, dukungan telah diberikan sebelumnya. Namun, BNPB tetap siap memberikan bantuan tambahan jika dibutuhkan,” lanjut Suharyanto.

Sebagai langkah selanjutnya, apel kesiapsiagaan akan dilakukan di tingkat provinsi maupun kabupaten/kota. Apel ini penting untuk mengetahui sejauh mana kesiapan sarana dan prasarana serta kemampuan sumber daya manusia yang dimiliki daerah dalam menghadapi potensi bencana banjir.

"Apel preparedness has been carried out in several areas such as Jakarta, West Java, and Banten. Those that have not, will immediately implement it. We will also reactivate facilities and infrastructure as well as personnel to overcome the possibility of large floods," Suharyanto concluded.