Regions warned of La Nina-induced floods

JAKARTA (JP): Large areas of the country must beware of La Nina-induced floods predicted for later this year, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) (ret.) Commodore Harinto warned yesterday.

Speaking to reporters in the Southeast Sulawesi capital of Kendari, Harinto said every province and regency must anticipate the imminent threat of floods.

Though areas vulnerable to La Nina-induced flooding have yet to be announced by the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG), precautions must be taken as early as possible, he said.

"We must learn from our experience in 1997 when we were hit by El Nino," he said referring to the weather phenomenon that brought drought to most parts of the country.

The El Nino effect results from an irregular warming of the Pacific Ocean and causes climatic havoc around the globe.

Last year in Indonesia, the El Nino effect, which was said to be the most severe in 50 years, aggravated forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Over five-million hectares were destroyed.

The prolonged drought caused by El Nino also lead to crop failure in many parts of the country.

Climatologists predict that a corresponding cold episode, La Nina, will begin in November.

La Nina is the reverse of the El Nino effect and is associated with colder than normal surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

It could mean that last year's drought affected regions will receive heavy rainfall.

Harinto said yesterday that regions located on lowlands or with poor water drainage systems must anticipate the threat of floods.

While waiting for the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency to complete their studies and announce the vulnerable locations, Harinto said his agency was stepping up preparations across the country.

Natural disaster field coordinating units have been established in every regency, Harinto said as quoted by Antara.

Harinto also added that his agency was currently training local people to manage search and rescue efforts by themselves in anticipation of natural disasters. (aan)