Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has been sounding the warning of the megathrust earthquake risk and motivating authorities, especially the local government, to take major steps in preparation for the upcoming disaster.
According to BMKG Chief Dwikorita Karnawati, the warnings are meant to drive action rather than remain mere talk.
“The issue of megathrust isn’t new. It’s been around for a long time. But why are BMKG and some experts raising it again? The goal is to say, ‘Come on, don’t just talk and take action on mitigation,'” Dwikorita emphasized this during a press briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 21.
“The aim is mitigation, education, preparation, and readiness.” She added.
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Earlier, BMKG’s Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, reminded us about the potential for major earthquakes from two megathrust zones: the Sunda Strait and Mentawai-Siberut.
Both zones have been passive and have never been seen causing an earthquake or creating a seismic gap for over two centuries, creating what is known as a seismic gap. It is indicated that a large earthquake has had its own cycle for over a century.
Dwikorita continued that BMKG has taken several measures anticipating the megathurst. First, they have installed tsunami early warning sensors, known as InaTEWS, specifically aimed at these megathrust zones.
“InaTEWS was placed facing the direction of the megathrust, designed to face and mitigate the risks,” Dwikorita explained.
Second, BMKG has been actively educating both local and international communities. This includes working closely with them to prepare various mitigation infrastructure, such as evacuation routes, early warning systems, and tsunami shelters. Additionally, BMKG collaborates with the Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Center, which educates 25 countries in the Indian Ocean region on the risks of earthquakes and tsunamis.
“We educate the public on how to prepare for a major earthquake that could trigger a tsunami,” she added.
Third, we will periodically check the early warning system that has been granted to the local government to ensure that the tool works properly. And last is to disseminate early disaster warnings. “The community must be ready, which means there must be dissemination of information, which will be assisted by Kominfo,” she said.
Challenges of Regional Autonomy Regarding Megathrust Earthquake Mitigation
However, Dwikorita acknowledged that BMKG cannot act alone due to the complexities of regional autonomy. “BMKG can’t do everything from start to finish because of jurisdictional limitations and regional autonomy,” she said.
BMKG keeps on talking about megathrust, facilitating, coordinating, and guiding in order to raise people’s awareness of the disaster. But in the end, the local governments are the ones that have to implement the measures.
(Raidi/Agung)
