DPR asks for quick steps to handle disasters, BRIN technology not only in laboratories

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, MY Esti Wijayati, asked the government to utilize the results of research and innovation tools from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) for mitigation and evacuation of victims of natural disasters. Including finding victims of landslides at the foot of Mount Burangrang, Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua District, West Bandung Regency, which have not been found.

Esti assessed that the use of BRIN's tools, namely Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) integrated with drones (UAV) can be used as one of the steps to mitigate disasters because it has various features and advantages.

"The use of Ground Penetrating Radar can search for bodies at depths of tens of meters. Currently, there is a major disaster that is directly in one location, so many victims, namely in Cisarua. I think this tool can be used to help evacuate victims of the Cisarua landslide disaster. We hope BRIN will take quick steps for this," said Esti Wijayati, Thursday, January 29.

According to Esti, the use of GPR can accelerate the search for victims of landslides in Cisarua who are still buried in the ground. "Currently, it is clear that there is a situation that requires very fast action from all of us. Even there are also members of the TNI who are victims," said Esti.

"I hope that BRIN will immediately use the tool to find our relatives who are at the location and are victims. This disaster situation requires the intervention of BRIN," added the PDIP legislator from the Dapil DI Yogyakarta.

For information, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) integrated with drones (UAV) is an innovation developed by BRIN for non-destructive subsurface detection. This technology is able to penetrate the ground to a depth of 60-100 meters, and can be used for disaster victim search, mapping of soil structures, and geophysical exploration.

One of the features of the BRIN-owned tool is Aero-GPR, which is a method of mapping shallow structures in difficult-to-reach areas. This feature can detect materials below the surface to a depth of 60 meters.

In addition, drones on GPR can also detect the presence of objects or bodies buried up to a depth of 100 meters, making it very useful for SAR and post-disaster operations.

The drone uses advanced control systems to generate geotagged (spatially marked) subsurface data, map soil layers, and detect underground pathways.

BRIN also developed a radar called Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar (GB SAR) and a radar-based Software Defined Radio (SDR) for more precise structural monitoring. This technology was developed by BRIN to support disaster mitigation, archeology, and security.

Therefore, Esti asked BRIN to participate in every process of searching for victims of natural disasters, and to be actively involved in disaster mitigation. He assessed that the technology and innovations developed by BRIN can also play a role in environmental rescue efforts.

"With BRIN actively involved, it means that efforts to save the environment are increasing. BRIN's tools and technology can anticipate the occurrence of disasters, and the environment can also be saved from disasters that will be even greater in the future," he concluded.

As is known, the landslide disaster due to heavy rainfall occurred last weekend. Based on initial reports, the landslide buried 34 houses with an estimated 133 residents affected. Including 23 TNI soldiers of the Navy who were undergoing training before being assigned to border security in RI-Papua New Guinea.

The SAR team is still carrying out the evacuation of the search for victims who were buried. As of Wednesday, January 27 morning, the number of victims who have not been found is still 32 people, while previously as many as 48 body bags had been handed over by the SAR team to the West Java Police Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Team.

Weather and difficult terrain obstacles, coupled with thick fog and still unstable ground, slowed down the evacuation process. The joint SAR team added heavy equipment to speed up the search for 32 victims.