Floods due to rising sea levels hit the Tanjung Emas port area on Monday (23/5) last week. The brunt of the water was exacerbated by the broken embankment in the area. Diponegoro University (Undip) through the Diponegoro Disaster Assistance Response Team (D-DART) took part in caring for residents who had an impact on the tidal flooding.
D-DART is a team under the coordination of the Center for Disaster Management at the Diponegoro University Research Institute and Community Service (LPPM UNDIP), led by dr. Achmad Zulfa Juniarto, M.Si.Med, MMR, Sp.And. (K), Ph.D as General Chair.
The task of the D-DART team is to compile studies, coordinate, and carry out disaster management activities under the coordination of the LPPM UNDIP.
“The levee burst in the Tanjung Emas Port Area, precisely in the Lamicitra Industrial Area, North Semarang District, has resulted in several areas of Semarang City being submerged by rob. D-DART Undip in coordination with PMI, BPBD and Basarnas went directly to the field to help residents affected by tidal flooding and to provide logistical assistance, such as mineral water and food,” said Prof. Dr. Jamari, S.T., M.T. as Chairman of LPPM Undip.
“We are also concerned about this tidal flooding disaster and hope that the conditions will improve, the water will subside quickly and it can be handled immediately. We hope that D-DART will take swift action to assist in responding to disasters that occur,” he concluded.
While dr. Achmad Zulfa Juniarto conveyed the D-DART Team led by Dr. Susilo Adi Widyanto, ST., MT (Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering) in collaboration with the BPBD Team, PMI, Basarnas and related teams to carry out care actions in the tidal flooding disaster in Semarang. The team assisted in the Public Kitchen and also dropped aid to the disaster site. The D-DART UNDIP disaster car was also dispatched to the location. This is very helpful because the water level is high enough that it is not possible to be accessed by public transportation.
“The assistance provided to residents is in the form of food and we also help volunteers who need additional logistical assistance, especially for disaster management and mitigation. Currently, the assistance that residents still need is food, medicine, baby kits and other logistics,” he continued.
The impact of flooding includes the potential for certain diseases, such as skin diseases and diarrhea. dr. Zulfa advised at least several things that can be done to avoid it, namely maintaining cleanliness and avoiding foods that have a strong aroma, spicy, and others.
Prof. Dr. Rahayu, S.H., M.Hum. (Deputy Chair for Community Service at LPPM Undip) added, D-DART has also prepared follow-up actions with an orientation towards efforts to improve the environment and health checks for the community.
“D-DART must act quickly in situations where it is needed because as a disaster management center it must be responsive in carrying out efforts in an emergency state with the aim of easing the burden on the community,” he concluded. (Lin – Public Relations)
