Extreme Weather Hits RI, Commission VIII DPR Asks Local Government To Strengthen Disaster Vigilance

Illustration. School buildings affected by flash floods in Ladang Rimba, South Aceh mid 2023. (doc. South Aceh BPBD)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Mahdalena asked local governments (Pemda) throughout Indonesia to increase vigilance and strengthen anticipatory measures to deal with potential disasters due to extreme weather that occur in various regions.

According to him, uncertain weather conditions and increased rainfall intensity must be a serious warning for flood-prone areas and landslides.

"Extreme weather to date shows that disaster vulnerability is still very high. Local governments must move quickly, tactically, and measurably to minimize the impact of disasters," Mahdalena told reporters, Wednesday, November 26.

Mahdalena also asked the local government to immediately carry out risk mapping, ensure early warning readiness, prepare evacuation locations and mobilize disaster volunteers to the village level.

"Prevention must go through solid coordination with related ministries/agencies, BPBD, TNI-Polri, volunteers, and local communities. In areas prone to landslides, mitigation must be carried out thoroughly, starting from strengthening cliffs, monitoring of soil cracks, to educating residents," said the PKB legislator.

Mahdalena emphasized that regional preparedness is the key in the midst of the ongoing extreme weather.

"Don't wait for the incident. Anticipation is the most effective step to protect the community," he said.

As is known, in recent weeks, high rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in a number of areas. Like in Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, landslides caused four people to die and national road access was cut off.

In West Sumatra, rain for five consecutive days has affected thousands of houses by flooding. Meanwhile in Central Java, landslides in Majenang District, Cilacap Regency, claimed 23 lives, with 21 bodies having been found.

Then in Banjarnegara, landslides in Pandanarum Village killed 12 residents and 16 people are still being searched until Sunday, November 23.