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| Natural Disasters |
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Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation, is subject to many natural and man-made disasters. Droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and forest fires have all taken a significant human and economic toll on the country and its people.
Situated on major tectonic fault lines, Indonesia is prone to frequent seismic activity. Earthquakes regularly hit Indonesia, occasionally causing widespread damage. An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale killed at least 2,200 people in 1992. More recently, a major earthquake and tidal wave hit the offshore islands of Peleng and Banggai in Central Sulawesi in May 2000, killing over 40 people. Earthquakes such as these often generate tsunami waves that travel great distances.
As many as 800 landslides have occurred in Indonesia over the past decade, killing at least 735 people. The landslides are frequently caused by monsoon rain in areas where land has been weakened by deforestation. In October 2000, floods and landslides killed over one hundred people in Java. In November of the same year, the island of Sumatra was flooded in what was considered the worst episode since 1953.
Following a week of heavy rains in January 2001, Java was hit by severe floods, resulting in the death of an estimated 150 people, and the displacement of around 150,000 people in Jakarta. Flooding also took place in sections of Madura, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Some allege that excessive logging throughout Indonesia has exacerbated the negative consequences of the floods and by construction that has taken place on green-field sites in Java. Forests and undeveloped land have absorbed flood waters in the past.
Forest fires are also commonplace in Indonesia. The 1997-8 forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan were among the most severe in the last two decades, claiming over 20,000 sq. km. The economic toll was estimated at $4.4 billion.
For more information, please see: Worldwatch News Brief
Indonesia has also fallen victim to the El Nino weather pattern. The 1998 El Nino episode was the most devastating to the country, triggering drought and forest fires, and resulting in food shortages and health problems throughout Indonesia.
Natural disasters throughout Indonesia have resulted in population displacement, and the destruction of homes and businesses. Further, they have damaged agricultural production, resulting in increased reliance on imported foodstuffs - in particular, rice. Many have criticized government handling of the crisis, including the lack of warning about the flood conditions.
The branch of government that deals with natural disasters is known as BAKORNAS BP. the National Board for Disaster Management. This past January, however, the Office of the State Minister of Research and Technology established a special team to deal with natural disasters led by scientists and other experts.
For statistical information, please see Natural Disasters in Indonesia and OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 17: Indonesia.
Updated May 2002
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