Sumedang BPBD Strengthens Mitigation Efforts to Face El Niño Phenomenon
Sumedang (ANTARA) - The Sumedang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in West Java is strengthening mitigation efforts to address the threat of drought due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The Head of BPBD Sumedang, Bambang Rianto, stated that the mitigation focuses on providing clean water, enhancing patrols in fire-prone areas, and adjusting agricultural planting patterns.
“Our main focus is mitigating drought, clean water crises, forest and land fires, and their impacts on the agricultural sector. All of this must be anticipated early,” said Bambang in Sumedang on Tuesday.
He explained that based on BMKG information, Sumedang is still in the transition period towards the dry season, although rain is still occurring in some areas.
He added that the impacts of El Niño are predicted to start being felt in early May, with the dry season peak estimated around August.
“The peak of El Niño is expected in July to August. Therefore, the preparedness of the government and the community must begin well before the worst conditions occur, so that the impacts can be minimised as much as possible,” he said.
According to Bambang, all areas in Sumedang Regency have significant vulnerability levels to El Niño impacts, so the local government is preparing comprehensive anticipatory measures.
For the threat of forest and land fires, BPBD has highlighted Tomo and Ujung Jaya Sub-districts as areas that often experience similar incidents.
In addition, the Palasari Mountain and Kunci Mountain areas in Sumedang City are also under surveillance focus due to their fire potential during the dry season.
In mitigating the clean water crisis, BPBD has mapped spring sources and community wells together with related agencies to support the needs of drought-prone areas.
Meanwhile, the local government is encouraging planting pattern adjustments according to seasonal predictions and the use of drought-resistant varieties such as gogo rice, maize, and sorghum.
These steps are taken to reduce the risk of crop failure while maintaining food productivity during the dry season.
In addition to strengthening facilities, BPBD relies on Community Fire Care Groups (MPA) in various areas as volunteer forces in fire handling.
Education for the community is also continuously carried out through campaigns on water conservation, climate adaptation, to the creation of retention ponds and storage pools.
“Mitigation is not enough from the government alone. Community participation in saving water, maintaining the environment, and not opening land by burning is a determining factor in successfully facing El Niño,” he said.