An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck Garut Regency, West Java, on Saturday night (Apr. 27).
Several houses and government facilities were damaged, and some people were injured. This earthquake incident recently added to several similar disasters in Indonesia, including Bawean Island, Gresik, and East Java.
Earthquake expert Dr. Gayatri Indah Marliyani from the Geological Engineering Department of UGM stated that Indonesia is vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which causes plate shifts.
Although the government has a Disaster Management Agency, everyone’s vigilance is crucial so society can face disaster risks.
Dr. Marliyani mentioned that earthquake sources can come from both land and sea. Fortunately, she noted that most earthquake incidents occur offshore. This is because earthquakes that occur on land are more destructive.
“The closer to the earthquake source, the stronger the tremors,” said Dr. Marliyani during the Pojok Bulaksumur discussion titled “Enhancing Government Preparedness and Public Awareness of Disaster Risk Threats in the Country” in the central courtyard of the UGM Central Office, Friday (Apr. 26).
She explained that earthquakes can recur due to changes and shifts in tectonic plates. Although earthquakes are difficult to predict, geological data or records of past earthquakes can serve as references, indicating that a location or region is prone to earthquake impacts.
“It is important for us to recognize and understand the potential natural disasters,” she said.
Unlike earthquakes, information related to signs of volcanic eruptions about to occur can be identified through natural signs and from volcano activity detection devices.
“Signs can include increased temperatures in lakes, such as warming water, and dead animals,” she stated.
Dr. Marliyani also mentioned the potential for earthquakes in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Kalimantan region has old faults that are not very active but have the potential for reactivation.
Therefore, development planning is needed according to the maximum possible magnitude if an earthquake occurs in the NCR.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammad Anggri Setiawan, Acting Chair of the UGM Center for Disaster Studies (PSBA UGM), stated that during the current rainy season, disaster risks such as floods and landslides can occur anytime.
Dr. Setiawan emphasized that PSBA UGM continues to study disaster readiness in various regions in Indonesia. In addition, they are also developing a landslide detection system called SipendiL, or Early Warning System for Landslides. This system works based on total rainfall readings (in millimeters).
“We continue to study its system both meteorologically and geologically. The aim is to minimize the destructive risks,” Dr. Setiawan said.
On the other hand, Amin Susiatmojo, a UGM Disaster Response Unit (DERU UGM) Team representative, stated that UGM contributes to mitigation activities and disaster management studies in the country and to providing care for disaster victims.
DERU was formed to assist in rapid, precise, and effective handling in disaster areas. In addition to sending volunteer teams, the DERU team collaborates with the UGM KKN-PPM students concerned about disasters, who serve according to their competencies from their respective faculties.
“Their supervisors direct them according to their tasks, such as trauma healing teams from the UGM Faculty of Psychology and the construction of emergency latrines by students from the UGM Faculty of Engineering,” he explained.
Susiatmojo also explained that the role of KAGAMA, the UGM Alumni Family, is very helpful in delivering and providing logistical assistance.
However, continuous efforts are being made to improve volunteers’ capacity so that they not only master responsive issues but also equip themselves to remain safe when rescuing victims.
Author: Dita
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto