PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG REGENCY - Regional Secretary of West Java Province Herman Suryatman reminded the importance of earthquake preparedness, especially the threat of megathrust in the West Java region.

This was conveyed at the Coordination Meeting for Handling Megathrust Disasters, Wet Hydrometeorology, and the 2024 Regional Elections in Bandung Regency, Thursday ( 3/10/2024 ).

Herman said that there are five districts that are potentially affected by the megathrust disaster. Including Pangandaran Regency, Tasikmalaya Regency, Garut Regency, Cianjur Regency, and Sukabumi Regency, this requires special attention, especially in disaster mitigation efforts.

"We all hope that there will be no disasters, but we must prepare ourselves for all possibilities," said Herman Suryatman.

He also emphasized the need for consolidation among local governments, especially in the Bandung Basin area.

"We are asking for a field exercise related to disasters, considering that Bandung has quite a large potential for disasters, especially if a megathrust occurs and triggers the movement of the Lembang fault," he added.

For this reason, the West Java Regional Secretary asked the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) throughout West Java to immediately conduct disaster simulations.

"Simulation is the best preparation. I have instructed the head of BPBD to conduct disaster simulations within the next three months, no later than December 2024, including post drills, administration simulations, coordination, and field drills," said Herman.

The coordination meeting was attended by regional secretaries and heads of BPBD throughout West Java, also discussing the threat of disasters, especially earthquakes, but also including hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, extreme weather, extreme waves, abrasion, and landslides.
With good simulation and coordination, it is hoped that all related parties will be ready to face various possibilities that may occur in the future, especially in maintaining the safety of West Java residents.