Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has called for heightened vigilance in Java as increased rainfall poses a significant natural disaster risk until early 2025.

“The current situation is just the beginning, with the peak expected in early 2025, according to BMKG,” said BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari during a “Disaster Briefing” on Monday (9/12/2024), referring to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency. 

BMKG reported a 20% increase in rainfall compared to normal levels, influenced by atmospheric phenomena such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation, Rossby and Kelvin waves, weak La Niña, and potential tropical cyclones, according to antaranews.com.

Abdul urged communities and local governments to prepare by monitoring rivers, hillsides, and steep areas while ensuring emergency resources and budgets are ready. Regions with frequent disasters should declare a state of emergency to facilitate BNPB assistance.

From 2 to 9 December 2024, major floods and landslides affected Pandeglang, Lebak, Cianjur, Sukabumi, Bogor, and other areas, causing fatalities and forcing thousands to evacuate. Sukabumi recorded 12 deaths from flash floods, while Pandeglang saw 48,340 people displaced.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)