Jatimulyo, Girimulyo, Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) is the tourist destinations located in a hilly region. Hilly areas often have rocky and steep roads, especially if the location can only be accessed through slopes and ravines that are prone to landslides. Tourists are required to always be careful when going through these streets. Likewise, local communities must also be alert in any situation in the event of a disaster and, most importantly, know the characteristics of when a disaster will occur.
Based on that background, the Community Service Program (KKN) team 072 of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) supported by UMY Electrical Engineering Lecturer Dr. Ir. Iswanto S.T., M.Eng., IPM. provided counseling and installation of the “Natural Disaster Mitigation and Early Warning System” tool in the Sonyo hamlet, Jatimulyo, Girimulyo, Kulon Progo. Counselling regarding disaster management was carried out at the end of January in collaboration with the Muhammadiyah Disaster Medical Center (MDMC) of the Muhammadiyah Central Board (PP) and the Institute for Research, Publication and Community Service (LP3M).
The counselling session also invited the Coordinator of the Disaster and Preparedness Risk Reduction Division (PRBK) MDMC PP Muhammadiyah Budi Santoso. In his presentation, he explained the characteristics of landslides and when they would occur to teach residents in disaster preparedness. “Sonyo Hamlet needs a village standby team consisting of protectors, logistics teams, and external liaison. The village standby team will make be residents better prepared for disaster, “said Budi.
A similar sentiment was also conveyed by the Head of UMY KKN Team 072, Agis Gustiana. He said that the Sonyo hamlet should be more attentive to landside prevention, especially during the rainy season.
“Teaching Sonyo residents about the Disaster Mitigation Tool in the form of an Early Warning System makes citizens understand what to do when a landslide disaster occurs because this hamlet is very vulnerable. Therefore, we also made maps of areas prone to disasters in the Sonyo hamlet and included the characteristics of landslides. The map will later be given in every House to foster community awareness of the importance of mitigating natural disasters, “Agis said when met on Monday (2/24).
Early Warning System (EWS) is a Natural Disaster Mitigation (Landslide) Mitigation tool made by Students of KKN 072 UMY officially installed on Friday (21/2). This tool works uses a Solar Panel to help it stay active and when there are vibrations coming from the ground, which are the characteristics of a landslide, this tool will automatically sound its siren.
Field supervisor of the 072 KKN team, Iswanto hopes that the program of the KKN Team can help residents avoid disaster and be able to minimize the impact of losses if a disaster occurs. “The work program of the 072 Community Service Program is expected to be able to help the problems in the Sonyo hamlet, especially in natural disaster mitigation and I also hope that the community can accept and apply the knowledge gained during counseling,” concluded Iswanto. (ak)
