Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) is collaborating with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to enhance the country’s early warning system in response to increasing extreme weather events and natural disasters.
During a meeting at the Kemkomdigi office in Jakarta on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid and Acting Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati discussed strategies to improve public communication, particularly given the surge in weather alerts during January and February 2025.
“Kemkomdigi and BMKG have long coordinated efforts, but with the rise in extreme weather and disasters, we must ensure that the public communication system operates more efficiently. The public must receive early warnings quickly and accurately,” Meutya stated.
One key initiative is expanding disaster information dissemination through various communication channels, including mobile operators and television broadcasts. Indonesia’s Early Warning System (EWS), initially launched in 2016 via SMS alerts, has been integrated into digital television broadcasts since August 2024.
Kemkomdigi has partnered with multiplex service providers such as TVRI, Transmedia, Metro TV, MNC, SCM, Viva, NTV, and RTV to display real-time disaster warnings on television screens, ensuring that extreme weather alerts reach a broader audience in a short time.
“We highly appreciate Kemkomdigi’s full support in strengthening disaster communication systems,” said Acting BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati.
“With expanded communication infrastructure, including improved mobile connectivity in remote areas, we are optimistic that disaster information can be delivered more swiftly to at-risk communities,” she added.
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During the meeting, Meutya also highlighted BMKG data indicating a significant increase in extreme weather events and natural disasters in early 2025.
This includes a rise in earthquakes, from 11 occurrences in January to 25 in February, as well as severe flooding especially across Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) since early 2025 due to heavy rainfall.
Given these trends, Kemkomdigi and BMKG remain committed to strengthening public communication efforts, ensuring that every early warning message is disseminated widely and in a timely manner.
(Raidi/Agung)
