CILEGON, KOMPAS — A change in perspective and approach to disaster mitigation is required to respond to the more frequent occurrence of disasters and the increased number of affected people. The synergy between government agencies, private companies, academics, and the general public is key to improving disaster mitigation efforts.
“We are living in a hazard zone where disasters can occur every day. We need to implement a variety of steps and join our strengths to use to prevent victims and reduce economic losses,” National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Doni Monardo said on Sunday (1/13/2019) in Cilegon, Banten.
Doni is in Cilegon as part of a three-day visit to areas in Banten and Lampung provinces that were affected by last month’s Sunda Strait tsunami. It is his first official visit since President Joko Widodo appointed him as the BNPB head last week.
On his visit, Doni was accompanied by high-ranking officials from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, the Office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Navy’s Hydrography and Oceanography Center. Other disaster experts also joined Doni on his visit to disseminate information on disaster mitigation to residents and businesses.
Doni said that he called on all government agencies to synergize, including on disseminating public information on disaster mitigation. “In the future, the BNPB will coordinate all statements related to disasters,” he said.
As for the BNPB’s internal affairs, Doni promised to improve the agency, including its standards for temporary and permanent homes and in efficient budget management. Regulations would be drafted on involving the military and police in emergency response.
With respect to reducing tsunami hazards, regulations would be enforced, including on structural standards and coastal zoning. Apart from improving early warning systems, Doni said that planting hardwood trees with strong roots along the shore was important for withstanding tsunamis.
Regarding the high prevalence of public buildings and residences on active fault lines, Doni said that disseminating information on earthquake hazards along fault lines would be prioritized this year. The hope was to raise local awareness on the risks of disaster hazard zones and to urge higher caution in constructing buildings in such areas.
In addition to meeting with tsunami survivors and regional heads, Doni also met with businesspeople in Cilegon’s Chandra Asri Industrial Estate. According to the CVGHM’s earthquake and tsunami hazard map, the industrial estate lay within a zone that was prone to tsunamis of up to 3 meters high.
Anak Krakatau
According to aerial observations, the crater of Mount Anak Krakatau had reemerged above the sea’s surface. This marks the beginning of a new era for the mountain, following the Dec. 22, 2018 eruption that led to the collapse of most of the volcano’s body and triggered a tsunami.
After the December eruption, Anak Krakatau’s crater changed into a horseshoe shape that faced west, with the crater’s mouth located underwater. The CVGHM reported that a new cone measuring 450 meters in diameter and covering 18 hectares had emerged from the horseshoe crater. The new crater had a diameter of 400 meters and covered 12 hectares.
CVGHM head Kasbani said that Anak Krakatau’s mass would continue to increase, as it was still growing. “Although it remains highly active, the activity has been decreasing. No eruption has occurred in the past few days. We hope it will be more stable in the future,” he said.
Indonesian Tsunami Experts Association head Gegar Prasetya said that, based on current developments at Anak Krakatau, the threat of landslides and tsunamis of forces equaling those on Dec. 22 was small. “The risk of a tsunami relies on the possible collapse of the caldera and underwater eruptions. This requires a huge amount of energy, and is improbable at present,” he said.
BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said that aside from the risk of tsunamis from Anak Krakatau, the Sunda Strait could also see tsunamis from potential earthquakes along the Sunda megathrust. To reduce future risks, improving the tsunami early warning system and providing disaster education was necessary. (AIK)