DIY Extends Disaster Emergency Alert Status Until February 3, 2025

Illustration - Clouds over the city of Yogyakarta. BETWEEN PHOTOs/Andreas Fitri Atmoko/tom/aa.

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region Government (DIY) officially extended the hydrometeorological disaster emergency status until February 3, 2025.

The status extension was decided through the Decree of the Governor of DIY Number 504/KEP/2024 concerning the Determination of the Second Extension of the Hydrometeorological Disaster Emergency Alert Status (floods, landslides and extreme weather).

Head of the DIY Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Noviar Rahmad explained that the extension considers rainfall in DIY which is predicted to remain high until May 2025.

"We have extended the hydrometeorological disaster emergency situation. What previously ended on January 2, 2025, we will extend it from January 3 to February 3, 2025," said Noviar when contacted in Yogyakarta, Antara, Monday, January 6.

Early warning from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) shows that the potential for disasters, such as landslides, floods and extreme weather in this province is still high.

"The condition of the high rainfall will still last until May. So, in January we are still on emergency alert, because there is a potential for landslides, then extreme weather, and flooding," he said.

In addition, BMKG also informed that there are 98S tropical cyclone seeds that can trigger sea wave heights and increase wind speed in the Indian Ocean region south of East Java - Bali and its surroundings.

Noviar said that since October 2024, his party noted that landslides occurred in 377 points in five regencies/cities, namely Kulon Progo, Gunungkidul, Sleman, Bantul, and a small part of Yogyakarta City.

"A total of 377 landslide cases have been since October, November, December," he said.

In addition to landslides, BPBD DIY also recorded 262 extreme weather incidents and 27 flood events during 2024.

To anticipate further potential disasters, BPBD DIY has prepared mitigation steps, both structural and non-structural, one of which is distributing gabions to landslide-prone villages.

"Later on, the gabions will be installed with community service. Then, we will help provide angkong, crowbar, there is a hoe, then there is a shovel, and food," he said.

Socialization to the public to increase awareness of extreme weather and potential disasters also continues to be intensified.

Following the extension of the emergency alert status, Noviar appealed to the people of DIY to remain vigilant, especially against potential extreme weather that could cause trees to fall.

"First, the public remains vigilant, especially related to extreme weather that will cause fallen trees, so that to trim trees that are considered or have the potential to fall," he said.

He also asked people in landslide-prone areas, especially in the Kulon Progo area, to continue to pay attention to the latest information from the BMKG.

"We are requested to be able to mitigate and pay attention, always update from the BMKG regarding the weather situation that is issued every 2 hours," said Noviar Rahmad.