BPBD: Personnel and Disaster Management Equipment Ready to Face Extreme Weather

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued warnings of extreme weather in Jakarta and its surrounding areas in October 2022. The peak of the rainy season is predicted to occur in January-February 2023.

We have 267 officers in the field or called Quick Reaction Team (TRC)

BMKG Head, Dwikorita Karnawati urged the regional governments, communities, and all parties to be prepared for potential hydrometeorological disasters due to high annual rainfall in 2023, which is predicted to exceed the average in parts of Indonesia.

As a precaution, Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Head, Isnawa Adji mentioned that several efforts had been made to ensure that disaster management could run well.

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"We have 267 officers in the field or called Quick Reaction Team (TRC). They have been alerted in all urban villages in anticipation of disasters caused by extreme weather, such as floods or landslides," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Wednesday (10/19).

Each personnel intensively coordinates with the urban village heads to monitor the dynamics of the development of disasters that occur in their respective areas.

To respond to weather early warnings issued by the BMKG, the BPBD immediately disseminated the information via bpbd.jakarta.go.id, social media (Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook), and other channels such as WhatsApp Group and Telegram.

Then if there is an increase in the water level alert status (TMA) in the river flow in Jakarta, an early warning will be delivered via the Disaster Early Warning System (DEWS) and SMS Blast.

Aside that, joint personnel consisting of TRC BPBD, Water Resources (SDA) Agency Task Force, Bina Marga Agency, Fire and Rescue (Gulkarmat) Agency, and Urban Village PPSU, as well as others, have been alerted in flood-prone areas.

"Each TRC personnel also checks the supporting facilities and infrastructure for disaster management that have been distributed to every urban village in flood-prone areas," he added.

He added that every piece of equipment was in proper working order and ready to be used to assist the community in dealing with floods.

As for the information, the Jakarta BPBD has distributed flood support equipment in 2021 and 2022 such as PE (polyethylene) boats, ring buoys, portable flashlights, refugee tents, velbeds, isolation booths, truck tires, and aluminum ladder megaphones for the entire City/District Administration, which is in Jakarta.

Therefore, the public should remain careful in dealing with the impact of extreme weather and protect the surrounding environment by not littering.

"Residents can take advantage of the emergency services number 112 if they experience or find an emergency. This is free of charge and operates 24 hours non-stop," he continued.

"We also continue to coordinate with regional officials to ensure that the Disaster Preparedness Command is always ready to deal with extreme weather conditions, which are predicted to continue for some time to come," he stated.

Additionally, collaboration with the central government, Jakarta Provincial Government (OPD/BUMD), community institutions, private sector, academics, and media continues to be synergized in order to provide the best public service in Jakarta.