Now or Never: Know More About Tropical Cyclone to Reduce Loss and Damage

Indonesia today has passed one of the worst nightmares; that is tropical cyclone, known commonly as Siklon Cempaka or Cempaka Cyclone. The cyclone has caused floods, landslides and tornado in Java region. The National Disaster Management Agency known as Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) calculates that the losses due to tropical cyclone reaching trillions of rupiah. Thousands of homes, thousands hectares of farmlands, and public facilities were flooded. Community activity in the area was totally paralyzed due to the landslide. 41 residents became victims, that 19 of them died, and the number of refugees reached 28,190 people.

 

Broken houses caused by Cempaka Cyclon (source : CNN)

At the end of November, Cempaka Cyclone has passed after 3 days occuring. But it doesn’t mean that it will not come again. To reduce loss and damage that might occured, let’s know more about tropical cyclone here.

What is Tropical Cyclone

According to Wikipedia, a tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low–level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. “Tropical” refers to the geographical origin of these systems, which form almost exclusively over tropical seas. “Cyclone” refers to their winds moving in a circle, whirling round their central clear eye, with their winds blowing counterclockwise in the Nothern Hemisphere and blowing clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

The opposite direction of circulation is due to the Coriolis effect. Tropical cyclones typically form over large bodies of relatively warm water. They derive their energy through the evaporation of water from the ocean surface, which ultimately recondenses into clouds and rain when moist air rises and cools to saturation. This energy source differs from that of mid-latitude cyclonic storms, such as nor'easters and European windstorms, which are fueled primarily by horizontal temperature contrasts. Tropical cyclones are typically between 100 and 2,000 km (62 and 1,243 mi) in diameter.

The History of Tropical Cyclone in Indonesia

Tropical cyclones are not yet familiar to Indonesian people. In 2008, a cyclone was named Durga. At that same year, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency or Badan Meteorologi Klimatolotgi dan Geofisika (BMKG) established the Tropical Cyclone Early Warning Center. A year later, a cyclone was later named Anggrek (Orchid in English).

In 2014, another tropical cyclone occured in Indonesia and it was named as Bakung cyclone (Lily in English). That is the only tropical cyclone that actually arises in Indonesia after having such an early warning center.

Dr Armi Susandi, climate scientist and climate change from the Bandung Institute of Technology or Institut Teknologi Banding (ITB) noted that in the 1980s, Indonesia had not known tropical cyclones. Only in the late of 1990s and 2000s, tropical cyclones began to enter Indonesia. However, its position was still far from the beach so it hardly impacted on society.

In 2017, Cempaka cyclone came to Indonesia. It is the first tropical cyclone to approach the coastal area, with the closest distance of 32 kilometers. Indonesia needs to be grateful, because according to Armi, disaster earlier this week only half of the actual cyclone strength. Cempaka has a speed of 150 km/h with rainfall of 150-200 millimeters per 3 hours. The speed of wind and rainfall coming inland, as in Pacitan, is only a third of that number. According to Armi, only the tail of the cyclone approaching to the mainland, not the cyclone itself yet.

How To Deal With Cyclone

To deal with cyclone, BMKG should warn people to be more careful about the impacts that can be caused such as floods, landslides, flash floods, puddles, strong winds fallen trees and slippery roads. Particularly aviation activity at several airports which are potentially affected due to rain and strong winds.

With the condition of high sea waves, BMKG should warn people and ships to be on guard, particularly for traditional fishermen. BMKG also should warn coastal communities to avoid activities around the coast because of the potential tidal wave that can occur.

It is important to anticipate the cyclone too, before the cyclon, when the cyclone is occuring and after the cyclon occured. Here are some ways to anticipate cyclone regarding by its time :

Before The Cyclon

1. Make an evacuation plan

Knowing the risks and how to evacuate quickly and appropriately are the keys to preparatory and preventive action in the event of a tropical cyclon.

2. Do the exercises by tracing the evacuation routes

Try to know the paths of evacuation. The goal is to accelerate and facilitate the evacuation process if it is necessary.

3. Strengthen the roof of the house

Strengthening the roof of your house with a good roof tie. When the roof is tied firmly, it will not be carried away by the wind later.

4. Prepare the necessary needs

When BMKG warns cyclon around us, we must prepare the necessary materials, such as candles or flashlights with enough supply of the battery, food for at least three days and proper clothes.

5. Listen to the radio for emergency information

BMKG is a government agency responsible for research and warning of threats. Typically, this agency broadcasts warnings to the public via radio, either with radio communications or with community radio.

When the cyclon occuring

1. Do not take shelter in the vast plains

By the time a tropical storm occurs, the wind will blow very hard. Therefore, we should not  hide in the wide plains because it can be carried by the wind.

2. Take shelter behind trees or piles of rocks

We can take cover behind trees or piles of rocks to protect ourselves. If we do not take shelter in that place, then the tent we make can be carried by the wind.

3. Set up a tent with the direction of the back to the wind

If we have found a safe place to set up a tent, then set up the tent with the direction of the back to the wind. Extending the rope of the tent to the maximum and use an extra peg or a rock as a reinforcement.

After Occuring

1. Avoid trees and buildings because it can collapse anytime after the cyclone

2. Prepare appropriate clothes because the weather is uncertain

3. Do not use vehicle first because there might be ruins on the highway that will endanger us

“We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with knowledge; so many lives wouldn’t have  to be lost if there was enough disaster preparedness by education. Because the power of education is not just to transform lives, the power of education is to save lives.” Petra Nemcova, a survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami, on the occasion of the first ever World Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5th 2016.

(srhanifa)