Indonesia to see more disasters as global warming continues

Indonesia has experienced more frequent cyclones due to persisting impacts of global warming in the past few years, and the phenomenon is predicted to continue next year.

The frequency of cyclones this year, according to data gathered by the country's disaster mitigation agency, was 28 times that for the year 2002.

"Global warming has resulted in the formation of more cumulonimbus clouds that could incite cyclones," said Sutopo Purwo Yuwono, spokesperson with the Indonesian disaster mitigation agency BNPB.

According to Sutopo, cyclone was responsible for 36 percent of the 1,200 disasters experienced by the country throughout this year.

The agency learned that most of the disasters, including floods, landslides, droughts, forest fires and cyclones, could be attributable to the persistent impact of global warming.

Sutopo predicted that cyclones would occur in Indonesia in March to April next year, while floods and landslides would hit many parts of the country from January to March.

He said a total of 60.9 million people living in 315 cities and regencies would face risks from floods and 124 million people in 270 cities and regencies would be vulnerable to landslides.

He also predicted forest fires in eight provinces during the dry season next year and drought in Java, Bali and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provinces from August to October.

Earthquakes might affect the life of some 157 million people in 386 cities and regencies, and tsunamis would follow and affect 5 million people in 233 cities and regencies in coastal areas next year.

The Indonesian government has allocated 1 trillion rupiah ( about 103.6 million U.S. dollars) for the implementation of a master plan to improve the public awareness of tsunami.

Indonesia, a country that sits in the earth's "ring of fire", may also face risks from volcano eruption next year as many volcanoes have been seen in escalating activities, according to the agency.

Tuesday 25 December 2012

http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2012-12/24/content_27504707.htm