JAKARTA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Tuesday called on local officials to prepare for potential hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods and landslides, as the peak of the rainy season approaches.
According to BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari, Central Java and East Java provinces have already begun disaster management infrastructure checks as part of their preparedness efforts to ensure these regions are equipped to handle potential disasters effectively.
The Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) forecasted that most of Indonesia will experience rainfall with an intensity ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 mm annually throughout 2025, beginning in November 2024.
"These initiatives are critical to reduce disaster risks, particularly as BMKG predicts heavy rainfall across much of Indonesia," Muhari said.
He advised local governments in disaster-prone areas to declare a state of emergency to accelerate response operations and ensure comprehensive disaster management.
BNPB data showed that as of Nov. 16, Indonesia has recorded 1,756 disaster events this year, over 1,000 of which were hydrometeorological disasters, including floods, landslides, and extreme weather.■