Mataram Residents Must Be Alert About The Potential Fire Impact Of The Dry Season

Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Mataram City Mahfuddin Noor. (ANTARA/Nirkomala)

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara Province, appealed to the public to be aware of the potential for fires as one of the impacts of the dry season. "Although the threat of drought due to drought in Mataram City is very small, various potential impacts of the La Nina anomaly must be watched out for," said Head of the Mataram City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Mahfuddin Noor in Mataram, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, July 18. The statement was made in response to the occurrence of two fire disasters during July 2023, namely in Karang Baru and Cilinaya Villages which were triggered by a short circuit due to residents' negligence. Related to that, he continued, the public must be vigilant and anticipate by avoiding things that can trigger a fire. For example, not throwing cigarette butts carelessly, burning garbage, checking stoves, electricity, and other electronic equipment before leaving the house. "This looks trivial so that we often neglect it. However, our negligence could be a potential fire disaster," he said. Moreover, he continued, the La Nina anomaly where during the current dry season there is rain with moderate to heavy intensity, and accompanied by strong winds. "This erratic weather change must be watched out for to avoid things that are not cold," he said. Furthermore, Mahfuddin said, based on BMKG predictions, the La Nina phenomenon began to be felt, with weather changes from drought to rainy season. The La Nina phenomenon, he said, could have an impact on increasing the potential for hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods, tidal waves, and landslides.

"Some time ago there was a tidal wave at Ampenan Beach, but it did not have much impact on the damage to local residents' houses," he said.