Anticipating El Nino, Makassar Appoints BPBD as Water Crisis Command for Six Districts

The threat of extreme El Nino has prompted the Makassar city government to act swiftly. Mayor Munafri Arifuddin has stressed that preparedness is no longer an option but a necessity. Amid heightened global alert over what could be one of the most intense El Nino events in decades, the city administration is not remaining idle. Since April, an emergency meeting has been convened, bringing together the Regional Secretary, officials from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Public Works Department, the Fire Department, the Health Department, the Social Affairs Department, and all sub-district heads. “The water crisis is not merely a matter of availability; it has a wide-ranging domino effect. Communicable diseases could rise, educational activities and health facilities could be disrupted, and there is potential for social conflict,” stressed Appi, the mayor’s nickname. Appi has taken decisive action by appointing BPBD as the command centre, or leading sector, for crisis management. All Regional Apparatus Organisations (OPD) and sub-district heads have been instructed to operate in an integrated manner under the agency’s coordination. “It is commanded by BPBD. They are the main actors ensuring the entire process runs smoothly, including the availability and distribution of water,” Appi stated. Moving beyond mere concepts, he has demanded that handling scenarios be drawn up to the most detailed technical level. He insisted that simulations must not be ordinary. “We must know how many minutes it takes for water to reach the community, who delivers it, and how it is distributed. We must calculate precisely where the water sources are, how many vehicles are available, where the distribution points are, and how storage is managed,” he said. Interestingly, Appi is encouraging the establishment of a pilot area as an integrated crisis management simulation model. This step is considered crucial given that the impact of El Nino is not limited to drought but also has the potential to increase food prices due to crop failure and trigger a spike in cases of acute respiratory infections, skin diseases, and tuberculosis. Head of Makassar BPBD, Fadli Tahar, revealed data indicating that at least six sub-districts are predicted to experience the most significant impact: Tallo, Panakkukang, Tamalanrea, Biringkanaya, Manggala, and Ujung Tanah. “Tallo is the most vulnerable area, especially in the Buloa area, which even during the rainy season experiences a shortage of clean water,” Fadli explained. Based on past experience, which led Makassar to declare a drought emergency status in 1997–1998, 2015–2016, and 2023, BPBD has now entered a pre-disaster alert phase since March-April by conducting direct field surveys. “The data already exists, but we still go to the field to ensure the latest drought levels as a basis for intervention,” he added. BPBD is not acting alone; it is collaborating with humanitarian organisations such as Dompet Dhuafa, PMI, Baznas, and volunteers from Kalla Rescue and Bosowa Peduli in a unified command operation. “We are forming a one-command integrated operation so that aid distribution and handling can be faster and more effective. Everyone already has clear standard operating procedures,” he asserted. The peak impact of El Nino is expected to occur until October, with the highest intensity in that month. Meanwhile, the Fire Department is on maximum alert in vulnerable areas, as the risk of fire is certain to increase drastically due to dry conditions and hot winds. “Don’t panic, but be prepared. We must be able to calculate and ensure the availability of resources,” concluded Appi.