Entering the Transition Period of the Rainy Season, Beware of Natural Disasters in the City of Bandung

This was stated by the Head of the Disaster Mitigation Section (Kasi) of the Bandung City Fire and Disaster Management Agency (Diskar PB), Amires Pahala in the Bandung Answering program, Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

He said that the peak of the rainy season will occur around January-February 2022

"There are 13 sub-districts that are at risk of flooding. At some points in the sub-district there is a high risk of disaster," said Amires.

He explained, from the results of the Disaster Risk Study, several locations that were prone to flooding include Andir, Astanaanyar, Babakan Ciparay, Bandung Kulon, Bandung Kidul, Panyileukan, Batununggal, Bojongloa Kidul, Rancasari, and Kiaracondong sub-districts.

"If you look at the area, now there are more floods in South Bandung due to changes in the ecosystem and because six rivers are flowing. While landslides tend to be in East Bandung because of the lack of absorption area," he said.

To prevent various disasters from occurring, Amires admitted that he continues to monitor areas that often occur in disasters with regional officials.

"We are doing mitigation by educating the public to learn to see the potential and symptoms of social change as well. For example, people must maintain sewers, do not litter," he said.

"The government has also helped by building a retention pond to prevent flooding," he added.

During January-September 2022, the incidence of hydrometeorological disasters in the city of Bandung reached three cases. One case of flooding in Rancasari, and two cases of landslides.

"There were no casualties, but material losses, there were houses whose walls collapsed. A total of 21 houses were affected by flooding. It happened in April 2022," he said.

Meanwhile, in 2021, the number of flood cases is 6 events, landslides are 3 events, and strong winds are 4 events.

According to him, disaster is a common affair of all pentahelix sectors. Thus, during this year the PB Damkar has prepared disaster management together with other tools.

"Public awareness is still lacking. We must massively provide understanding for the community if the disaster continues to lurk," he urged.

Moreover, he assessed, this year's disaster will tend to be a landslide case if it is seen from the movement of the soil.

"We appeal to regional officials to be aware of potential or natural phenomena. We are currently compiling letters to regional officials, sub-district heads, and village heads," he said. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Technology

Yayan A. Brilyana