BNPB: Early Flood Warning System in Aceh Strengthens RT/RW Level Coordination

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) emphasized the implementation of the new flood early warning system (Early Warning System/EWS) in Banda Aceh City was designed to strengthen the chain of coordination of emergency handling to the RT and RW levels.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari explained that the integration of data between field sensors and monitoring dashboards allows officers at the village and village levels to receive information faster to carry out evacuations.

"The implementation of EWS is expected to strengthen coordination between agencies, ranging from local governments and BPBD to regional officials at the sub-district, village, and even RT/RW levels," he said in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Monday.

The system is supported by five flood monitoring sensor units which are placed at strategic points, such as Putroe Phang Park, Keutapang, Indrapuri and KM 0 area.

Data from these points will be connected directly to the dashboard at the Banda Aceh City Communication and Statistics Office.

With the integrated information flow, the RT and RW leaders can immediately direct residents to evacuate immediately after officers give instructions based on automatic identification from high water sensors and surveillance cameras (CCTV).

"This accurate and integrated data support makes the decision-making process in emergency situations at the grassroots level can be done faster and more targeted," he said.

Abdul added that the placement of early warning sirens at the Baiturrahman Sub-district Office was also aimed at providing a wider range of warning sounds to residential areas around the affected areas.

The technology, which was completed in late 2025, is part of BNPB's efforts to ensure that disaster management commands are not interrupted from the central management level to field officers.

"The speed of delivering early warning information to the public depends heavily on the readiness of regional officials in responding to the data generated by this system," said Abdul.