“We will look into the details and take the necessary steps,” he said in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Saturday.
Nurofiq noted that the tropical cyclone reported by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had significantly increased rainfall intensity across Sumatra, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, even though this impact had not previously reached the region.
“This shows that the climate is no longer predictable, requiring us to strengthen our resilience in protecting nature,” he said during a visit to Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) in Banjarbaru.
The minister affirmed that President Prabowo Subianto had called for an end to environmental destruction, particularly the degradation of forests, which has led to severe impacts during the climate crisis.
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He emphasized the need for continuous improvements in enforcing environmental spatial planning and increasing conservation efforts to protect, restore, and enhance environmental quality, particularly through vegetation measures.
Flash floods and landslides recently hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra following heavy, high-intensity rainfall.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the death toll had reached 303 as of Saturday afternoon, November 29.
The respective governments of the three provinces have declared a disaster emergency response status, effective from November 28 to December 11 for Aceh, November 27 to December 10 for North Sumatra, and November 25 to December 8 for West Sumatra.
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Translator: Firman, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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