1,327 Natural Disasters Occur In Indonesia Until Mid-2023, 2.4 Million People Affected

Illustration of heavy rain accompanied by lightning causes flooding. (Between)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded 1,327 natural disasters occurred in Indonesia during the first quarter of 2023.

"The number of disaster events that were previously released was 763 incidents, verified and validated to 1,327 incidents," said Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in a written statement, Monday, July 3, which was confiscated by Antara.

Based on data that has been verified and validated by BNPB from January to March 2023, 124 people died and disappeared and 2,440,751 people were affected by the disaster.

Abdul added that the number of houses damaged by the disaster during that period was originally recorded at 9,023 units and based on the results of verification and validation, the total number was 17,331 units.

"The above results are based on the coordination of BNPB and BPBD from a number of provinces that have verified and validated data until May 31, 2023," said Abdul.

Provinces that have submitted data on verified and validated disasters include West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Lampung, Riau Islands, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, Banten, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, North Maluku, West Papua, and Papua. Abdul said there are still several provinces that have not submitted data up to that date so that data on disaster events and their impacts may change again.

"Regions that have not submitted data recapitulation of events and disaster impacts are advised to be able to report regularly every three months to BNPB. This aims to synchronize disaster data between the center and the regions as well as accountability for disaster management in Indonesia," he said.