PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government through the West Java BPBD together with the district and city BPBDs, as well as all disaster stakeholders in the West Java region need to increase preparedness to face potential hydrometeorological disasters and anticipate disasters during the simultaneous regional head elections on November 27, 2024.

The implementation of simultaneous regional elections is expected to take place during the rainy season, so the potential for wet hydrometeorological disasters must be watched out for so as not to disrupt voting and vote counting activities.

Acting Head of the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Anne Hermadianne Adnan said, related to this, her party will take steps and provide direction to the Regency and City BPBD in West Java to increase preparedness.

"West Java BPBD will soon hold a preparedness briefing for potential hydrometeorological disasters to support the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections," said Anne Hermadianne Adnan in Bandung City, Wednesday (11/9/2024).

The readiness roll call is planned to involve various elements, including the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), firefighters, West Java KPU, West Java Satpol PP, West Java Health Service, Kodam III Siliwangi, Brimob, West Java Regional Police, volunteer elements, and others.

Based on initial information released by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), in September 2024, West Java will enter a transition period from the dry season to the rainy season.

During this period, some common symptoms that occur are unpredictable temperature changes, sudden heavy rain, strong winds and tornadoes, lightning and thunderstorms, high humidity, unstable weather, and an increased risk of disease.

In the coming months, the intensity of rain is also expected to increase and spread evenly throughout West Java and threaten disaster-prone areas.

Develop an action plan

Anne further said that in addition to the preparedness roll call, a coordination meeting will also be held, as well as a disaster preparedness action plan for the election, which explains the regional government's efforts to anticipate potential threats of hydrometeorological disasters during the regional elections.

His party also encouraged the issuance of a decree from the Governor of West Java regarding emergency preparedness for hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides and strong winds for the entire West Java region, as well as establishing command posts at the district and city levels if necessary.

Previously, the West Java Provincial Government had issued Circular Letter Number 8386/PEM.05/BPBD, dated August 21, 2024 concerning Disaster Preparedness in the Implementation of the 2024 Regional Elections, which was addressed to the Regional Secretaries of Regencies/Cities throughout West Java as Heads of BPBD.

Anne also encouraged district and city governments to hold briefings and coordination meetings on preparedness for potential hydrometeorological disasters to support the implementation of the 2024 regional elections, as well as to prepare action plans.

"We also encourage district and city governments to identify the needs and availability of resources in the region based on the contingency plans that have been prepared, and check readiness to be mobilized when needed," he said.

"Hopefully the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada can run smoothly. The preparedness efforts made are to anticipate various possibilities that arise from disasters that have the potential to occur during the rainy season so that the election can still be carried out according to the planned time," added Anne.