Banda Aceh – The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Universitas Syiah Kuala, participated in a disaster research and product dissemination exhibition, while also introducing its institutional profile and research facilities, including the Shaking Table, Tsunami Wave Flume, and Real-Time Earthquake Observatory, during the 2026 Disaster Preparedness Day (HKB). The event was held in Banda Aceh on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The exhibition was conducted in collaboration with the Master’s Program in Disaster Science (MIK USK), the Doctoral Program in Disaster Science (DIB USK), and FASTANA TDMRC USK. The event, centered at the DPRA Office within the Car Free Day area, is part of efforts to strengthen a culture of disaster preparedness within the community. It also highlights Aceh Province as a region with a significant history of disasters.
One of the key achievements during the HKB 2026 series in Banda Aceh was the functional testing of five flood Early Warning System (EWS) sensors installed by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in several rivers across the city. The simulation, conducted simultaneously at 10:00 AM, included activating evacuation sirens directly connected to the dashboard of the Banda Aceh Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
TDMRC USK views the integration of sensor-based early warning technology with community response mechanisms as an essential component of an effective disaster management system. From an academic perspective, the effectiveness of early warning systems is determined not only by technological sophistication but also by the level of public understanding, trust, and response to warning signals.
The evacuation drills conducted at two locations the Baiturrahman District Office as a Temporary Evacuation Site (TES) and the Car Free Day area as a representation of public space provided a real-world illustration of how such systems are expected to function during actual emergencies.
As a region that experienced the devastating tsunami on December 26, 2004, and the 2025 Senyar flood disaster, Aceh Province maintains a strong collective awareness of the importance of disaster preparedness. TDMRC USK, as a research institution born from post-disaster experiences, remains committed to advancing knowledge, technology, and policy in disaster mitigation.
Through the momentum of HKB 2026, TDMRC USK hopes that the spirit of preparedness will not remain a yearly ceremonial activity, but will become a sustained culture of disaster awareness in the daily lives of communities across Indonesia.
