Arcandra Tahar, a member of the Board of Experts at Prasasti, emphasized that tropical storms are not isolated incidents but part of a predictable natural cycle.
"If we look at 150 years of storm track data, Northern Sumatra up to the Malacca Strait has been crossed by tropical storms. This indicates that these phenomena are not single anomalies but part of nature's return period. They can recur every few decades," Arcandra stated in a confirmed release in Jakarta on Thursday.
He argued that the government must address this recurring risk by enhancing disaster mitigation efforts and redesigning coastal and marine infrastructure. This requires detailed meteorological and oceanographical analysis of tropical cyclone return periods.
Arcandra warned that recent tropical cyclone activity serves as a critical reminder. "The recent tropical cyclone is a reminder that Indonesia needs to ensure the resilience of its infrastructure, spatial planning, and emergency response protocols at all levels, adapting to this latest situation."
He also stressed the need to account for local factors that intensify extreme weather events, including watershed degradation, forest loss, and land conversion. He pointed to international best practices as references for preparedness.
"Countries accustomed to dealing with storms, such as Japan, China, and the Philippines, show that spatial planning discipline, environmental conservation, and community readiness are as important as meteorological technology," he added.
Executive Director of Prasasti, supported this assessment, Nila Marita, saying that recent tropical cyclones -which contributed to flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra-indicate that Indonesia has entered a "new era of risk."
She noted that Indonesia already has a strong early warning system foundation through the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG), but believes the focus must now shift to implementation.
"The next step is to ensure that scientific data, spatial planning policies, infrastructure, crisis communication, and regional readiness all function as a cohesive whole," Marita concluded.
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Translator: Rio Feisal, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Primayanti
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