Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) is set to launch a Disaster Information Dissemination System, which includes the Disaster Prevention and Disaster System (DPIS) and a Digital TV Early Warning System (EWS). This system will provide real-time alerts related to earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, and floods, broadcasted directly to digital TV and mobile phones across the country.
“This Disaster Information System is designed to ensure that disaster information is delivered quickly and accurately to the public and field officers, so that evacuation and mitigation efforts can be more effective,” said Budi Arie, the Minister of Communication and Informatics, during a press conference at Kominfo’s headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 1.
Previously, Kominfo had implemented an Early Warning System utilizing mobile platforms through SMS blasts. This new development expands the methods of disseminating disaster information, aiming to reduce casualties by providing real-time alerts on both digital TV screens and mobile phones during disasters.
On television screens, early warnings will appear as a small overlay at the bottom for “Alert” and “Standby” warnings. If a disaster reaches a critical level classified as “Warning,” the system will override the television broadcast with a full-screen alert. On mobile phones, warnings will be delivered either via SMS blasts or pop-up notifications.
Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Daryono, clarified that the system will not display information about minor earthquakes, as they occur frequently and usually cause minimal impact. Instead, the system will focus on significant earthquakes that pose a higher risk of damage or have the potential to trigger tsunamis.
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Disaster information will be categorized into three levels—Warning, Standby, and Alert—based on the severity of the event, in accordance with agreements between national, regional, and local authorities. “Alert” is the lowest level of warning, followed by “Standby,” while “Warning” signals the most severe situations, requiring immediate evacuation.
The EWS system is also integrated with several key disaster information agencies. These include BMKG for earthquake and tsunami alerts, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) for forest fire information, the Geological Agency (PVMBG) for volcanic activity, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) for general disaster information, and the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) for flood alerts.
“I hope these systems will facilitate better coordination in providing timely responses and minimize the impact on both people and the environment,” Budi Arie Concluded.
(Raidi/Agung)
