Flood in Sarmi regency on 2012 – tempo.co
Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura Municipal residents were alerted on extreme weather that has occurred since the beginning of the year because of the potential to cause flooding and landslides.
The head of Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Papua Province, Didi Agus Prihatno on Saturday (23/1/2016) in Jayapura said the potential of disaster in Papua area is very high; furthermore the level of rainfall is moderate to heavy and sometimes windy.
“People should be aware and alert, they have no longer wait the government’s alert,” he said.
Specifically in Jayapura City, Didi said, Jayapura Municipal BPBD has conducted series of attempts to reduce the disaster risk, either through physical construction as well as awareness and capacity building in facing the threat of disaster (disaster mitigation).
“We give appreciation to Jayapura Municipal BPBD, they have conducted series of disaster mitigation and socialization to community,” he said.
According to him, some flooding points in Jayapura City have been repaired, so that the heavy rain that fell over Jayapura City last night did not cause flooding. “The rain was heavy overnight, but no flooding in Jayapura City,” said Didi.
He added though Jayapura Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency often provided information on weather in printed and electronic media, regional/municipal BPBD of Papua Province is expected to prepare and help people in case of disaster.
“It’s including to immediately coordinate with related stakeholders in term of providing prompt response towards disaster if it’s occurred,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Papua Social and Housing Office, Ribka Haluk, said the natural disasters such as flooding and landslide are often occurred in the remote areas in Papua, thus the regional governments, in particular the governments of Papua Highland areas, need to anticipate the risks through formation of disaster alerted villages.
“I ask regents to establish the disaster alerted villages,” said Haluk. (Alexander Loen/rom)
