As the volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau increases, now at Level III or Alert status, Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Puan Maharani has asked the government to immediately strengthen national preparedness. Integrated mitigation steps are considered crucial to ensure the safety of the public, especially those living along the coastal areas of the Sunda Strait.
Puan emphasized that as a country located in the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is required to have a resilient and comprehensive disaster mitigation system. According to her, although geological disasters cannot be prevented, the impact of damage and casualties can be minimized if the early warning system works quickly, in an integrated manner, and based on scientific data.
The momentum of this increased volcanic activity is seen as a call for a comprehensive evaluation of disaster infrastructure readiness. This evaluation includes the reliability of monitoring equipment, the effectiveness of early warning sirens, the viability of evacuation routes, and the readiness of local governments to coordinate rescue efforts.
Parliament also highlighted the importance of clear and educational communication channels from authorized agencies such as PVMBG, BMKG, and BNPB, so that the public receives accurate information and avoids panic caused by fake news. In addition, special handling for vulnerable groups must be prioritized so that the evacuation process during emergencies can run faster.
In addition to the volcanic threat, Puan warned of the potential for extreme weather due to Tropical Cyclone Bavi, which has triggered heavy rains and high waves. The DPR is committed to continuing to monitor the government's preparedness in modernizing disaster technology and increasing mitigation capacity in a sustainable manner.
