Indonesia Vulnerable Earthquake and Tsunami in 2013

JAKARTA - A spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in Jakarta, Thursday (20/12), explained during 2013, most of Indonesia still has the potential to cope with natural disasters, such as Java to the south of Nusa Tenggara and north of Papua , which is prone to earthquakes accompanied by tsunami threat."The regions that are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis along the subduction yes tectonic plates meeting, namely along the west of West Sumatra, south of Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Papua to the north, North Sulawesi and Halmahera," he said.For those parts of the flood, he added, is along the east coast of Sumatra, the northern coast of Java, mostly south of Java and so on."There are about 240 districts / cities that are prone to flooding. Then the tornado, if we see in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta) is the red zone and there is a temperate zone. Then if there are landslides in areas that have high topography, such as Bogor, Cianjur and forth, "said Sutopo.He added that 233 districts / cities in Indonesia tsunami prone, however, the potential for disaster is highly dependent of the effects of earthquake forces.For volcanic eruptions, Sutopo explained that currently there are six mountains with the status of Standby / Level 3. The mountains are in the border districts roar Bondowoso-Jember-Banyuwangi, East Java; Rokatenda in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara; Sangeangapi in Bima regency, West Nusa Tenggara; Tomohon Lokon in North Sulawesi; Karang Etang Sitaro district, North Sulawesi, and Ijen in Banyuwangi regency, East Java.Sutopo said floods and landslides potentially occur until March 2013, with a peak in February.To anticipate disaster, Sutopo explained, BNPB will run four program implementation began in early 2013 Tsunami Masterplan."In the master of disaster risk reduction as we begin 2013 or later, will be installed or added some instruments earthquake tsunami detection devices in some areas potentially two issues, including the installation of an early warning system to community-based," he said.Sutopo added that the funds provided for the anticipated disaster in 2013 is $ 1 trillion, while the total requirement for a masterplan covering all areas prone to tsunami in Indonesia reached Rp 16.7 trillion for the next five years.Therefore, said Sutopo, implementation anticipated in 2013 prioritized disaster-prone areas such as the Tsunami Mentawai, West Sumatra; Sunda Strait region; southern coast of Java; southern coast of Bali; Nusa Tenggara and Papua.Disaster managers Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) National Mukri told VOA Friatna explain anticipation of disaster, not just by installing early warning systems in areas prone to earthquakes and tsunami."I think that needs to be built is the preparedness of residents along the southern coast, which predicted the earthquake and tsunami potential, it needs to be encouraged," he said."If the only tool to prepare early warning system alone is not enough. An example occurred in Padang some time ago, and then in the Sunda Strait, tools early warning system to decay due to lack of control. It's dangerous to rely on a tool, without empowering the local community. "In addition, Mukri added, the government needs to be more serious in handling the emergency disaster, especially regarding location and shelter, food, and medicine as well as medical personnel that the local governments are better prepared in case of disaster. And it does not have to wait for instructions from the central government, he said.Data from the BNPB shows Indonesia is facing at least 730 natural disasters in 2012, which claimed 487 lives, causing 675,798 people were displaced and 33,847 houses were damaged - 7891 of which were severely damaged.Natural disasters during 2012 was dominated by hydro-meteorological disasters are putting a pickaxe (259 kejadian/36 percent), flood (193 kejadian/26 percent), and landslides (138 kejadian/19 percent).Sutopo of BNPB said, putting a pickaxe incidence is increasing every year, up 28 fold from 2002 to 2011