"An integrated early warning system developed on the basis of recommendations from the results of researches, studies, and experts, must be used," President Jokowi noted in his address to participants of the National Coordinating Meeting on Disaster Mitigation 2019, here, Saturday.
Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Lt Gen. Doni Monardo and East Java Governor Soekarwo were present at the coordinating meeting in which some four thousand Indonesians and foreigners participated.
"On this good occasion, Mr Doni (Monardo), as the BNPB chief, will coordinate with all relevant ministries and institutions to materialize the early warning system that we will take care of," the president stated.
He also called for preparing the maps of evacuation routes for disaster victims, similar to those of Japan.
Boards depicting early warning and evacuation route maps must be put in place this year, he stated.
He also ordered for routine simulations of disaster mitigation efforts, from the national to neighborhood levels, to make the public prepared to face natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and tsunamis.
According to data of the BNPB, a total of 2,572 natural disasters had hit during 2018.
January and February are the peak months of the rainy season that could trigger flooding, landslides, and whirlwinds.
In January 2019, Indonesia was hit by 366 natural disasters that claimed 94 lives or led to several missing, injured 149, and affected and displaced 88,613 others.
The catastrophes also damaged 4,013 homes and 146 public facilities.
More than 98 percent of the natural disasters in January this year were hydrometeorological in nature.
Compared to the number of natural disasters in January 2018, the number in the same period this year increased by 57.1 percent; the number of dead and missing victims, up by 308.7 percent; and injured victims by 186.5 percent.
The number of people affected and taking refuge in safer places decreased by 49.8 percent and the number of damaged homes, down by 59.7 percent.
Reporting by Desca Lidya Natalia, fardah
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
