PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Acting (Pj.) Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin attended the Hydrometeorological Disaster Emergency Preparedness Coordination Meeting (Rakor) at Pakuan Building, Bandung City, Friday (11/29/2024). This coordination meeting aims to improve preparedness for potential hydrometeorological disasters including during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays.

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General Suharyanto, Member of Commission Eight of the Indonesian House of Representatives, and regional heads in West Java, also attended the coordination meeting.

"Of course, we hope that in the future disaster management in each district city will be even better," said Bey.

Bey also reported that the West Java Provincial Government has received budget assistance of Rp250 million and 21 types of equipment from BNPB for disaster emergency preparedness. Likewise, a number of regencies and cities in West Java received budget assistance of Rp200 million and disaster emergency preparedness equipment worth approximately 1.7 billion rupiah.

"Thank you to BNPB for providing assistance of 250 million rupiah for the West Java Provincial Government and 200 million rupiah for the city and district," he said.

"That's not all regencies/cities, because there are still eight (regions) that have not yet declared a hydrometeorological disaster emergency. This means that BNPB will send aid as soon as a region declares a disaster emergency alert," he added.

Potential Hydrometeorological Disasters

According to Bey, West Java is facing the potential for hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods and landslides. Throughout 2024, there were 1,389 hydrometeorological disasters recorded in West Java.

"With the potential for increased rainfall intensity until early 2025, we need to prepare for the Christmas and New Year holidays," he said.

"Usually accompanied by the movement of people to their hometowns or tourist destinations," he added.

Bey added that the potential for flooding in West Java is concentrated in a number of areas, such as Bekasi Regency, Karawang, Subang, Indramayu, Cirebon, Bandung Regency, Bandung City and Banjar City.

Meanwhile, the potential for flash flood disasters in West Java is included in the high class, especially in Garut Regency which is crossed by the Cimanuk River, Cikaengan River, Cilaki River, Cirompang River, and Cikandang River.

"For landslide disasters, West Java has a medium-high danger level covering the central and southern regions," said Bey.

"For extreme weather, overall the risk level in West Java is high, especially the potential for it to occur in Indramayu Regency," he added.

Bey advised the public to always be vigilant, monitor the latest information and comply with directions from officers in the field.

"Let's work together to realize better preparedness so that West Java remains safe, comfortable and conducive in facing the challenges of this extreme weather," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of BNPB Suharyanto said that West Java was the first to initiate the Coordination Meeting because it is one of the provinces with a high threat of flooding and landslides or hydrometeorology.

"Today, in addition to the coordination meeting, we are also providing assistance to improve regional readiness, both in the form of initial budget and equipment," he said.

"So if a disaster occurs in West Java Province, BPBD can take action first because it already has a budget and equipment," he added.

Suharyanto explained that each province will be given budget assistance of IDR 250 million with 21 types of equipment such as rubber boats, basic necessities, mattresses, blankets and others.

"For the city and district, Rp200 million and equipment worth 1.7 billion, if calculated the total value of the money is approximately 55 billion rupiah for West Java Province, used for emergency preparedness," he said.

He also said that in the last 10 years, West Java has had the second highest potential for wet hydrometeorological disasters nationally.

"We look at the terrain, the contours are so mountainous, when there is heavy rain it is a disaster area, tourist areas are usually in disaster-prone areas," he said.

"The (West Java) community must remain careful and vigilant," he added.