DENPASAR ~

Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Bali noted that there are 14 districts in Bali which are prone to landslides at the peak of the rainy season.

According to Chief of BPBD Bali Dewa Made Indra, the 14 districts spread over six Regencies.  There are distrct of Tejakula, Sawan, Sukasada, Busungbiu (Buleleng Regency), Sukawati, Ubud, and Tegalalang (Gianyar regency), Kintamani (Bangli regency), Baturiti and Penebel (Tabanan Regency), and Petang (Badung Regency).

“Based on the topography of Bali, each year the potential landslides are still around in those districts,” said Dewa Made Indra, in Denpasar on Friday.

While the two regencies and one city namely Klungkung, Jembrana, and Denpasar is considered safe from the threat of landslides.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Body (BMKG) predicted that the peak of the rainy season occurs in January 2015.

“Therefore, we encourage for those who live on the edge of cliffs and hills in order to temporarily move out at the peak of the rainy season and always vigilant and keep following up the weather’s changes,” he said.

Moreover, as a precaution, personnel of BPBD have stood by for 24 hours. Likewise, various heavy equipments such as bulldozers and excavators have been placed close to the points which are prone to landslides.

Meanwhile in national level, some 304 districts and cities in Indonesia are prone to natural disasters, according to Social Affairs Minister Indar Parawansa.

“Of the 304 districts and cities, 274 were are prone to landslides, and the rest to floods, volcano eruptions, and tsunamis,” Minister Parawansa said on Saturday.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts aiming to reduce the damage caused by natural hazards and public awareness of anticipating disasters are crucial in those disaster-prone areas.