West Nusa Tenggara Declares Disaster Emergency Response Status

RRI.CO.ID, Mataram – The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Administration has officially declared a disaster emergency response status, effective from January 19, 2026. This decision follows extreme weather conditions that triggered floods, landslides, and residential damage across several regencies.

“The Emergency Response Decree was established on January 19. With this declaration, the Unexpected Expenditure (BTT) fund can be disbursed,” said Sadimin, Chief Executive of the NTB Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Sadimin explained that the Emergency Response Decree (SK) is the primary requirement for disbursing the provincial BTT. Currently, the NTB Provincial Administration holds a BTT allocation for disaster management amounting to IDR 16 billion (USD 1.01 million).

However, the estimated cost for disaster recovery is expected to far exceed the available BTT. “Losses are still being calculated, but the estimate is over IDR 16 billion,” added Sadimin.

He noted that eight regions have currently declared emergency response status, which are Dompu, Bima City, Sumbawa, West Sumbawa, East Lombok, Central Lombok, and West Lombok. Meanwhile, Mataram City and North Lombok Regency (KLU) remain under disaster alert status.

Despite this, the provincial BTT can be disbursed without waiting for all affected areas to declare emergency status. “If at least two regencies are in emergency response, the province can disburse the BTT,” he explained.

Sadimin emphasized that the budget utilization is strictly monitored and prioritized for the most urgent needs. “We must manage these funds prudently, as the BTT must last until the end of the year,” he said.

Recovery focus is directed toward repairing affected residential homes and vital infrastructure. Most of these repairs are being carried out through a community-based mutual cooperation approach.

Separately, Ahsanul Khalik, Head of the NTB Communication, Information, and Statistics Agency and Spokesperson for the NTB Provincial Administration, explained that not all regencies or cities are required to declare emergency response status.

“If the disaster is small-scale or manageable, a disaster alert status is sufficient. However, if it is large-scale and has a widespread impact, the province may declare an emergency response even if it affects only one regency,” he said.

Khalik added that provincial BTT is only allocated to regions that have officially declared emergency response status. “This is an emergency response budget. If a region does not declare that status, they will not automatically receive an allocation,” he clarified.

According to him, the IDR 16 billion BTT will be focused on restoring vital facilities and infrastructure that directly affect public interests. This includes inter-village bridges, public facilities, and infrastructure supporting the economy and agriculture.

“Residential homes are also included, particularly those of underprivileged citizens damaged by the disaster,” said Khalik.

For logistical needs, the NTB Provincial Administration is relying on stockpiles from the Social Affairs Agency and BPBD while requesting additional aid from the National Disaster Mitigation Authority (BNPB). The local administration has also sought support from the private sector, State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), and Regionally-Owned Enterprises (BUMD).

Regarding the repair of the Lendang Nangka bridge in East Lombok, discussions are ongoing with the regency administration. “Provincial and regency budgets will be synchronized. We will not use a Bailey bridge because the span is relatively small,” said Khalik.

He emphasized that the BTT distribution is not conducted in stages but is tailored to the most urgent needs on the ground. “It is not disbursed in installments, but rather distributed according to vital needs that directly impact the social and economic activities of the community,” he added.

Despite budget constraints, the NTB Provincial Administration ensures that alert status remains in effect across all regions. “Despite the limitations, emergency response management must ensure that community activities do not come to a standstill,” he concluded. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)