On Saturday, November 13, 2021, the Geography Community Service Team of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, chaired by Dimas Setya Herdani R., carried out a tidal flood mitigation outreach program at State Elementary School (SDN) 04, Pantai Bahagia Village, Muara Gembong District, Bekasi Regency.
This activity, under the guidance of Dr. Retno Lestari, M. Si., a lecturer in the Department of Biology, also involved the community and representatives of the village as participants.
The geographical conditions of Pantai Bahagia Village, located near the Java Sea with a topography that is gentler than the sea, make it easier for seawater to enter the land when the water level rises. This is also exacerbated by the conversion of mangrove land and abrasion in this area, resulting in frequent tidal flooding. In fact, before this activity was carried out, the village had been inundated by quite severe tidal flooding. This is the background for the Geography Community Service Team from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia to directly visit the village.
Present as speakers at this event were Alfiyyah Nurulhuda (Geography 2019), and Muhammad Said, SE., M.Si., Head of the Prevention and Preparedness Division of the Bekasi Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). Both speakers presented material on tidal flood disaster theory, its impacts, and mitigation measures that local communities can implement to minimize casualties.
Regarding disaster theory and tidal flooding in general, Alfiyyah Nurulhuda stated that Indonesia’s tropical climate contributes to frequent droughts and floods. She also explained that tidal flooding occurs due to regional geography, abrasion, and high rainfall.
“So, this plain was also split and then eroded by abrasion. Furthermore, this tidal flooding can also be caused by continuous rain,” explained Alfiyyah.
Furthermore, the discussion regarding the impact of tidal flooding in Pantai Bahagia Village and mitigation that can be carried out by the community was explained by the Head of the Prevention and Preparedness Division of the Bekasi Regency BPBD, Muhammad Said.
“In fact, the residents of Pantai Bahagia Village are special because they chose to stay here and not move. Therefore, what needs to be improved is prevention and mitigation,” Said said.
Qurtubi, Secretary of Pantai Bahagia Village, said, “Fortunately, our activities are dry now. A week ago, this area was submerged in water, from Friday until last Friday.”
The team hopes this activity will educate the residents of Pantai Bahagia Village and help them better understand the factors that trigger the tidal flooding that frequently affects the area, as well as mitigation measures. This will enable residents to be more responsive and prepared for tidal flooding.
