Indonesia braces for potential hydrometeorological disasters

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recently called on local officials to prepare for potential hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods and landslides, as the peak of the rainy season approaches.

Some students wade through floodwaters on a road in South Tangerang, Banten, on November 11, 2024 (Photo: antaranews)
Some students wade through floodwaters on a road in South Tangerang, Banten, on November 11, 2024 (Photo: antaranews)

Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recently called on local officials to prepare for potential hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods and landslides, as the peak of the rainy season approaches.

The agency’s spokesperson Abdul Muhari said that Central Java and East Java provinces have already begun disaster management infrastructure checks as part of their preparedness efforts to ensure these regions are equipped to handle potential disasters effectively.

These initiatives are critical to reduce disaster risks, particularly as the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) predicts heavy rainfall across much of Indonesia, Muhari said.

He advised local governments in disaster-prone areas to declare a state of emergency to accelerate response operations and ensure comprehensive disaster management.

The BMKG forecasted that most of Indonesia will experience rainfall with an intensity ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 mm annually throughout 2025, beginning in November 2024.

Meanwhile, BNPB data showed that as of November 16, Indonesia had recorded 1,756 disaster events this year, over 1,000 of which were hydrometeorological disasters, including floods, landslides, and extreme weather./.

VNA

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