Preventing Rivers In Bantul From Overflowing In The Rainy Season, BPBD Installs Flood Detection Devices At 5 Points

The Oya River in Imogiri, Bantul, DIY, is prone to overflowing during the rainy season. (ANTARA/Hery Sidik)

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said the Early Warning System (EWS) or flood detector early warning system had been installed at five points in the river area prone to overflow during the rainy season in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY).

"Regarding this flood EWS, BPBD only has five points. Therefore, we BPBD appreciate the EWS from the State Vocational High School (SMKN) 1 Pundong through student achievements and creativity," said BPBD Chief Executive Bantul Agus Yuli Herwanto after installing the EWS flood detector on the banks of the Oya River, Imogiri, Bantul, Wednesday, November 1, confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the five points that the flood detector EWS had installed were in the vicinity of the Kedung Jati Bridge, Imogiri; Karang Gayam Bridge; Jetis Bridge; Dzikrul Ghofilin Bridge, and Benyo Bridge.

Therefore, he said, with the installation of new EWS donations of outstanding students on the banks of the Oya River, Pengkol Hamlet, Sriharjo Village, the increase in the number of flood early warning equipment in the Bantul area which is prone to flooding during the rainy season.

By installing a flood detection tool equipped with an early warning system for the community in the form of sirens, he said, it will greatly help the community in disaster mitigation or reduce disaster risk when river flooding occurs.

"This EWS is very helpful. Moreover, at the end of November it was the rainy season in the Bantul area. If it is a long dry season like today, it is feared that during the rainy season there will be an accumulation of rain, so that the rain will be heavy and cause flooding like in 2017," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bantul Central Education Center, Ismunardi, said that the EWS flood detector device at the Pengkol Hamlet was a form of school dedication to the community, especially in disaster-prone areas.

"So, SMK is expected to be one of the educational institutions whose children have the ability to work and have entrepreneurship, work ability, and do not rule out the possibility of continuing to higher education levels," he said.

Therefore, he continued, the local government appreciates vocational students who have been creative and innovated and developed potential for existing potential through the EWS flood detector.

"With this we can find out earlier if there is a flood. We don't expect that to happen, but preventive efforts are important, because we also have procedures for disaster mitigation when something dangerous happens," he said.