Jakarta. As Indonesia faces the looming threat of a megathrust earthquake, both government and public efforts must intensify to mitigate potential casualties and damage, according to a leading disaster researcher.

During a virtual talk in Jakarta on Monday, Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, a researcher at the Geological Disaster Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), stressed the need for enhanced earthquake preparedness.

"We still have a lot of work to do to improve our preparedness for a megathrust earthquake," Rahma said, highlighting that panic significantly contributes to high casualties during natural disasters. In earthquakes, this panic often arises from fears of building collapse, leading to chaotic and dangerous behavior among residents.

Rahma drew comparisons to Japan, where buildings are constructed to stringent standards designed to withstand earthquakes. This confidence in infrastructure reduces panic and saves lives.

"In Indonesia, many people lack confidence in the safety of their buildings or homes, which leads to insecurity and panic during earthquakes," she explained.

Although Indonesia has earthquake-resistant building codes, enforcement and compliance are inconsistent. Newer buildings in high-risk areas generally meet these codes. The National Standardization Agency (BSN) has established several Indonesian National Standards (SNI) for earthquake risk management, including SNI 1726:2019, which outlines earthquake resilience planning for buildings.

Rahma also noted that traumatic memories of the 2004 Aceh earthquake and tsunami continue to influence public behavior, with fears of a repeat disaster causing people to flee their homes at the slightest tremor.

She recommended disaster mitigation efforts focus on science, technology, and innovation, such as constructing earthquake-resistant houses and modernizing early warning systems. These efforts should be accompanied by comprehensive public education on evacuation routes and disaster response.

"With these efforts, we can reduce panic and feel more prepared to face a megathrust earthquake," Rahma concluded.

In August, Daryono, Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), warned of the potential impact from an earthquake originating from the Nankai megathrust, located off the eastern coast of Kyushu, Shikoku, and Kinki in southern Japan.

"If a massive earthquake on the Nankai megathrust occurs and generates a tsunami, we need to be vigilant, as a large tsunami in Japan could potentially reach Indonesian territories," Daryono warned.

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