Karnavian said the directive followed instructions from President Prabowo Subianto, who called for tighter coordination with local governments to anticipate hydrometeorological threats.
Speaking on Tuesday, the minister said he would travel to landslide-hit Cilacap district in Central Java to lead a coordination meeting and inspect local preparedness for extreme weather.
Citing data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Karnavian warned that heavy rainfall in November and December could trigger floods, landslides, strong winds and even whirlwinds.
Related news: Central Java strengthens tiered medical response to landslides
High-risk zones stretch across southern Indonesia, including southern Sumatra, southern Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Maluku and Papua.
Karnavian stressed that regional governments — especially in densely populated southern Java — must quickly identify flood and landslide hazards and draft mitigation plans.
He said mitigation steps include reinforcing structures in landslide-prone zones, repairing vulnerable roads and preparing temporary emergency measures to minimize damage.
If local budgets are insufficient, Karnavian said regional leaders can declare a disaster emergency, allowing the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to step in with funding and operational support.
BNPB data show 2,726 disasters were recorded across Indonesia in 2025, most of them in southern regions.
The disasters damaged 33,984 homes, affected 623 public facilities, and destroyed 293 offices and bridges. Hydrometeorological events also killed 377 people and left 38 missing this year.
A landslide hit Cibeunying Village in Cilacap on Thursday (Nov. 13), killing 10 people and leaving 13 missing. Another landslide struck Pandanarum Village in Banjarnegara, Central Java, on Sunday (Nov. 16), with 27 residents reported missing.
Related news: Jakarta told to brace for floods, landslides amid heavy rains
Translator: Fianda Sjofjan, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
