"The BNPB will adopt the flood mitigation operation and strategy in early 2020. The decision was taken during a coordination meeting at the BNPB Office that was attended by representatives from several ministries and institutions, the TNI/Polri, and state-owned enterprises at 8.00 WIB," Wibowo noted through a press release received in Jakarta on Tuesday.
As coordinator of the command and executor, the BNPB ensured that the deployment of forces in the framework of flood mitigation in Jabodetabek had been conducted and scattered across several points to ease the burden on residents arising from the impact of floods triggered by weather factors.
Along with encouraging residents to prepare strategies and mitigate flood disasters, the BNPB also invited the community to actively report flood events through Petabencana.id.
"The community’s active role will facilitate the mapping and outreach of the field team. Through the site developed by BNPB, residents can also directly monitor the latest flood developments," he noted.
Wibowo stated that the residents seeking evacuation assistance can contact the available call centers:112 for the local government, 115 for the National Search and Relief Agency (Basarnas), 119 for the Ministry of Health, 110 for the Police, 113 for the fire brigade, and 021- 51010-112 for BNPB.
Heavy rains that lashed Jakarta and its surrounding areas since Monday (Feb 24) in the morning until Tuesday morning resulted in several areas getting deluged.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had issued an early warning over heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and lightning in the Jakarta area until Wednesday (Feb 26).
Academic activities in over 150 schools in DKI Jakarta were suspended owing to floods that blocked access to the schools and their buildings, DKI Jakarta Education Office's Public Relations, Sony Juhersoni, earlier said.
Some 159 schools, from kindergarten until high school, have urged their pupils to stay at home owing to floods.
"This is preliminary data. We will deliver the latest information once we obtain it," Juhersoni stated on Tuesday.
Based on information compiled from various schools, the floodwaters, measuring 20 to 120 centimeters deep, blocked access to schools.
Data collection by the Education Office is yet underway to confirm information on which schools’ teaching and learning activities are halted.
The schools temporarily shut down include those in the sub-districts of Cempaka Putih, Sawah Besar, Kramat Jati, Koja, Menteng Pulo, Pademangan, Taman Sari, and Johar Baru.
The rains that fell since early Tuesday morning submerged several areas in Jakarta, thereby hindering the residents’ normal activities.
In addition to disrupting teaching and learning activities, flooding resulted in the cessation of public transportation services and electricity. Related news: BMKG marks extreme rainfall in Jakarta on Tuesday
Related news: Incessant downpour inundates South Jakarta's several areas on Tuesday
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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