BMKG asks every local government and community to continue to increase vigilance to anticipate the worst as currently, the five tsunami early warning systems (TEWS) in the southern sea of Cianjur are not working.
Cianjur, W Java (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has asked residents living on the south coast of Cianjur, West Java, to remain alert to the threat of tsunamis and earthquakes amid a breakdown of early warning systems.

"BMKG asks every local government and community to continue to increase vigilance to anticipate the worst as currently, the five tsunami early warning systems (TEWS) in the southern sea of Cianjur are not working," Secretary of the Cianjur Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Rudi Wibowo, informed on Monday.

BMKG has readied officers and volunteers to help evacuate residents from the south coast of Cianjur.

The tsunami detection devices installed on the south coast of Cianjur, Cidaun, Sindangbarang, and Agrabinta are currently not functional, Wibowo said.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has checked the devices, but the Cianjur BPBD has so far not been able to confirm whether they have been connected or not.

According to Wibowo, the tsunami detection devices were reportedly damaged due to the weather and since they were installed in the waters for a long period.

"The damage (happened) a few years ago, and it has been reported. It was checked by BNPB just a few days ago, we are still waiting for the results," he said.

Acting chief of Cianjur BPBD, Fatah Rizal, said that his agency is continuing to communicate with BNPB and BMKG regarding the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis in the southern sea of Java, including the Cianjur coastline since it is listed in the disaster red zone.

"We have readied 150 disaster resilient volunteers in three sub-districts to conduct surveillance and immediately report if they see signs of a disaster. We are also installing and adding evacuation route signs and (conducting) disaster education," Rizal informed.

He also urged residents to be observant in reading disaster natural signs and evacuate immediately if they spot any sign.

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Translator: Ahmad F, Kenzu T
Editor: Sri Haryati
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