Indonesia prepares for peak rainy season as natural disasters claim 381 lives in 2024

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has called on local authorities to take proactive measures to reduce the risks associated with hydrometeorological disasters, including floods and landslides, as the country nears the peak of its rainy season.

The announcement follows forecasts predicting heavy rainfall across much of the nation in the coming months.

BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari reported that provinces like Central Java and East Java have initiated inspections of disaster management infrastructure, to ensure that systems and facilities in these areas are sufficiently prepared to handle potential disasters.

The Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has predicted significant rainfall across Indonesia, with annual precipitation expected to range between 1 000 and 5 000 mm (39.4 – 196.9 inches) from November 2024 through 2025.

Muhari emphasized that preparedness measures are crucial for reducing disaster risks. He called on local governments in high-risk areas to declare a state of emergency to enable faster response times and improve disaster management, ensuring comprehensive readiness and relief operations.

Indonesia has recorded 1 756 disaster events this year, with over 1 000 classified as hydrometeorological, including floods, landslides, and extreme weather.

Natural disasters have resulted in 381 fatalities across Indonesia, with 50 individuals reported missing.

A total of 906 people have been injured, while more than 5 million individuals have been affected nationwide.

References:

¹ BNPB Chief Urges Regional Governments to Increase Preparedness to Face Wet Hydrometeorological Disasters – BNPB -November 19, 2024

² Indonesia prepares for potential hydrometeorological disasters as rainy season peak approaches – Xinhua – November 20, 2024

Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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