Peringatan Bulan Pengurangan Risiko Bencana (PRB). Source: https://bpbd.bengkulutengahkab.go.id/postingan/detail_postingan/Peringatan-Bulan-Pengurangan-Risiko-Bencana-PRB-Tahun-2024-
Banda Aceh (October 8-10, 2024) – Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) participated in the activities Peringatan Bulan Pengurangan Risiko Bencana (PRB), which marks its 12th year this year and is held in Aceh Province to commemorate the 20th of the 2004 tsunami in Aceh. The 2024 Peringatan Bulan PRB is organized by the Aceh Provincial Government in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) and several other institutions including TDMRC which is a Research Center of Excellence under Universitas Syia Kuala (USK). The event was officially opened by the Acting Secretary of Aceh, Azwardi, AP, M.Si.,
Plh. Secretary of Aceh, Azwardi, AP, M.Si, delivering remarks from the Acting Governor of Aceh while opening the 2024 National Disaster Risk Reduction Month Commemoration. Source: https://humas.acehprov.go.id/plh-sekda-aceh-buka-acara-peringatan-bulan-pengurangan-risiko-bencana-nasional-2024/
together with the Deputy for Prevention at BNPB, Dra. Prasinta Dewi M.A.P., under the theme “Enhancing Coastal Community Capacities against Earthquakes and Tsunamis” with the tagline “Na Ingat, Seulamat!”. The series of peak events for the 2024 Disaster Risk Reduction Month took place at the Balai Meuseuraya Aceh (BMA), Banda Aceh City. TDMRC participated in a Sharing Session, Exhibition, and the screening of the documentary film titled “Risalah Ombak Serambi Mekah” until the closing ceremonies on October 10, 2024.
The peak events of the 2024 Disaster Risk Reduction Month included a Preparedness Rally and Troop Display: Sharing Sessions, Ranking 1 Competition, Disaster Exhibition, Documentary Film Screening, Art Performances, and Entertainment Shows, Coastal Vegetation Mitigation (Mangrove Planting), Gala Dinner, Pilgrimage to the Mass Graves at Ulee Lheue, Run For Resilience 5K, Independent Field Trips, and the Closing Ceremony of the Exhibition. Participants of this event included ministries and agencies at the national level involved in disaster affairs, local government heads, members of the national and regional legislatures, military and police forces, provincial/city/district disaster management agencies, universities/academics, Disaster Risk Reduction Forums at provincial/city/district levels, business entities, NGOs/INGOs, disaster practitioners, media, community organizations, volunteers, and the general public.
In the recent exhibition on disaster research facilities by TDMRC, researchers engaged with visitors in discussions about Megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis. They talked about the potential of Megathrust earthquakes in Indonesia, particularly along the subduction zones in the Indian Ocean, which often draw significant attention. The researchers explained that Megathrust earthquakes are massive seismic events occurring at tectonic plate boundaries, with magnitudes that can exceed 8, thereby having the potential to trigger large tsunamis. These earthquakes and tsunamis are not new issues; they have been documented in historical and geological records for centuries. Major seismic events like the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami are prime examples of destructive Megathrust occurrences. The researchers added that Megathrust earthquakes are not just potential future events but are part of the natural geological cycle, occurring every few decades or centuries.
TDMRC’s exhibition stand is visited by the U.S. Consulate in Medan, the Chief Deputy of Climatology of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and students.
With a better understanding of the mechanisms behind these events and the aid of modern technologies such as seismic monitoring systems and tsunami prediction models, the risks associated with Megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis can be managed more effectively. Researchers along the Indonesian subduction zones continue to study seismic activities and plate movements to predict when the accumulated energy might trigger the next big earthquake.
Furthermore, visitors were keen to learn how TDMRC utilizes their facilities to understand the impacts of such disasters. The researchers shared insights into their tsunami wave simulations conducted in laboratory flumes. They also discussed how their research findings are utilized to enhance community preparedness and support disaster mitigation planning in tsunami-prone areas.
The discussion also touched on the importance of education and training in reducing disaster risks, including through evacuation scenarios and the use of technology in early disaster detection, such as sensor-based early warning systems integrated with earthquake and tsunami data.
The Disaster Risk Reduction Month is a regular national agenda activity conducted by the BNPB in collaboration with provincial/city/district disaster management agencies annually since 2013 throughout October from the 1st to the 31st across Indonesia by all disaster management practitioners. This event serves as a forum for remembering the progress made, sharing information on successes, achievements, and challenges in disaster risk reduction efforts in Indonesia.
