Indonesia boosts relief stockpiles ahead of peak rainy season

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56 minutes ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to step up emergency preparedness by stockpiling essential relief goods, ranging from folding cots to water purifiers, ahead of the rainy season.

“The President directed us to procure more supplies, such as folding cots, tents, and generators, in anticipation of potential disasters across Indonesia,” BNPB Head Lieutenant General Kristomei Sianturi said following a limited cabinet meeting here on Monday evening (November 9).

“These supplies also include inflatable boats, blankets, water purifiers, and other vital equipment,” Sianturi added.

The meeting addressed two key priorities: evaluating the performance of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force — established following severe flash floods in three provinces on the island in late 2023 — and formulating regional mitigation strategies ahead of peak seasonal rainfall.

Sianturi said he briefed the President on the operational readiness of BNPB personnel and emergency equipment, updates on the disaster situation, and ongoing relief operations across several regions, including Sumatra.

“There are several hydrometeorological risks that we must remain vigilant about through November 11. Currently, three sub-districts are under the highest alert level, and 74 others across six provinces are on alert status,” Sianturi noted.

He explained that the areas placed under the highest alert are located in Southwest Aceh and Central Aceh districts.

Over the past three days, the highest cumulative rainfall was recorded in Southwest Aceh at 183 millimeters, followed by Southeast Aceh at 151 millimeters, with extreme rainfall projected to peak on November 11.

“Meanwhile, the highest concentration of subdistricts on alert status is in Aceh Province with 31, followed by North Sumatra Province with 27, West Sumatra Province with nine, Central Java Province with three, and two each in Yogyakarta and Central Sulawesi provinces,” Sianturi said.