There should be awareness from the people, along the formation of the early warning system, and if the village government sounds the alarm when something happens. That is the mitigation stepMamuju, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The West Sulawesi provincial government has planned to optimize the early warning system to minimize risks when disasters occur in the region.
"Disasters are unavoidable, but what is important is how to minimize destruction and victims if disasters strike," acting governor of West Sulawesi, Akmal Malik, said here on Monday.
To face the risk of disasters, mitigation measures need to be undertaken by the people through early warning systems, he stressed.
"There should be awareness from the people, along the formation of the early warning system, and if the village government sounds the alarm when something happens. That is the mitigation step," he explained.
The provincial government had organized a meeting with other institutions to discuss the post-disaster handling of floods and landslides in Kalukku, Mamuju.
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Malik directed institutions to prepare all forms of mitigation and give them serious consideration.
This is important especially since the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast that rainfall will continue to increase in the region, he added.
"When ordinary rain becomes concerning, how about this intense rain? Thus, this should be watched out for," Malik said.
In relation to the flood and landslide in Pammulukang and Sondoang villages, Kalukku, he noted that they were caused due to deforestation in the region.
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The acting governor further said that he has coordinated with Mamuju district head Sitti Sutinah Suhardi regarding the situation in Kalukku.
"In relation to the post-disaster condition, what is the most important thing to do is search for the cause," he added.
"Is this because of land use change or if there are other economic activities in the forest?” he asked.
This necessitates handling and mitigation efforts since a large amount of rainfall can form a reservoir of water, which could pose a threat.
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Translator: Amirullah, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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