The Environmental Health Student Association at Universitas Dian NuswantoroUdinus) has launched an innovation named Rob Early Warning System (REWS). The device is designed to give an early warning concerning flood to the locals of Tambak Lorok Area, Tanjung Mas.
The device was an output of the Student Organization Capacity Building Program (PPKO), which was worked by 15 students at Udinus. Upon conducting a survey, it was found that the area located in the northern part of Semarang was a coastal area, in which floods occur regularly.
The flood is mainly caused by the decrease in the land elevation, which reaches 9cm per year, known as subsidence. As a result, the flood can reach as high as 60cm, and become a threat to the local economy.
This is a threat to the economy, as maritime products are the main commodity, which boosts the economy, within the area. To mitigate this problem, the team comprised of the Environmental Student Association members at Udinus provided the locals with the REWS Device as an initial way to mitigate the disaster.
As stated by Marsha Alvina Damayanti, the leader of the PPKO team, the device can be used easily by accessing a website named sensorku.id. The website can be accessed using smartphones or computers to see the water level.
“In addition to being able to be overseen, the device is also equipped with a siren, which will sound automatically if the water level reaches an abnormal level. The REWS device uses the solar panel energy to conserve energy,” she explained.
“We hoped for this device to give an early warning to the locals of the Tambak Lorok area so that the negative impacts of coastal flood can be minimized. For the time being, we are still working on updating the device so it can detect upcoming tsunamis,” Marsha continued.
Collaborations with Partners.
During the implementation of this program, the team also involved various parties, including the Regional Disaster Mitigation Board of Semarang City and the Living Environment Service of Semarang City.
Dr. Drs. Slamet Iswono, M.Kes., the supervisor of this program, added that the partnership was expected to continue and see a development. Furthermore, he also hoped for this early-warning innovation to be more integrated into disaster mitigation systems. Thus, the residents of coastal areas become more resistant to the threats of coastal flooding.
“With this device, the locals will be able to be more prepared to face the potential dangers of coastal flooding, as well as come up with better preventive actions. The innovation is a part of the commitment possessed by Udinus to supporting locals of various areas, including the coastal area, by giving technology-based solutions. (Humas Udinus/Alex. Foto: Humas Udinus)
