BNPB Has Advised The Public To Remain Alert For Potential Hydrometeorological

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has advised the public to remain alert for potential hydrometeorological disasters throughout this year given that the phenomenon does not discriminate between seasons.

Acting head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB's) Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari during an online disaster briefing on Monday (October 17, 2022). (ANTARA/Prisca Triferna/FR)

Historically, hydrometeorological disasters have occurred during the seasonal transition, acting head of the agency's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari informed during an online disaster briefing on Monday.

"However, the seasons are currently not normal again. Sometimes (in) August, which should be dry, (it) is still raining and its intensity is even high," he noted.

Thus, given the historical record, there is not a single period within the year when people do not need to be alert against wet hydrometeorological disasters, he added.

For instance, due to high rain intensity, areas that were previously safe have become vulnerable to floods and landslides, he highlighted.

As per the agency’s records, between October 10 and 16, 2022, Indonesia witnessed 76 disasters, all of which were included in the wet hydrometeorological disaster category.

In the past week, floods have become one of the more frequently occurring disasters in Indonesia, with 36 flood events recorded in the country. There were also 23 incidents of extreme weather and 17 landslide incidents.

The incidents were reported from 56 districts or cities in 21 provinces across Indonesia.

The disasters claimed the lives of 13 people and left 10 people injured. In total, around 70,800 people were affected by the disaster incidents in the past week.

Of the total fatalities, eight people reportedly died due to floods, while five people died due to landslides in the country.

Floods and landslides during the period claimed the most lives in Bogor, West Java.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has already issued a warning for potential extreme weather in almost all regions of Indonesia, Muhari said.

By: Prisca T V, Fadhli Ruhman/Antara

Editor: Yakop