The Head of the Research Center for Climate Change at Universitas Negeri Padang and Lecturer in the Physics Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Dr. Nofi Yendri Sudiar, S.Si, M.Si, MCE, delivered a presentation on disaster mitigation outreach in Nagari Pasia Laweh, Tanah Datar. The event took place on Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Hall of the Pasia Laweh Village Office, Sungai Tarab, Tanah Datar. It was part of the Thematic Community Service Program (KKN Tematik) organized by the State Islamic University (UIN) Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar.
Also present at the event were the Wali Nagari of Pasia Laweh, Hidayat Dt. Paduko Sirajo, S.Pd, M.Pd.T; Chairman of the Tanah Datar Community Care Organization, Harry Prima Hidayat, S.Si; Secretary of the Tanah Datar Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD); Coordinator of the Socialization and Research Downstreaming Division of RCCC, Mohammad Isa Gautama, S.Pd., M.Si; village officials; supervisors of the thematic community service program (KKN Tematik); as well as members of the Pasia Laweh community, including youth representatives, local school students, Bundo Kanduang, and community leaders.
In the opening remarks, the Regent of Tanah Datar, represented on this occasion by the Subdistrict Head (Camat) of Sungai Tarab, A.H. Mirza Aziz, S.Sos., expressed strong support for the event. In his speech, the Camat welcomed the initiative positively and hoped that the residents of Pasia Laweh would be well-prepared to anticipate potential disasters. Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude and appreciation to UIN Batusangkar for organizing such a valuable program for the Pasia Laweh community. He also extended his thanks to the speaker for generously sharing knowledge with the local residents.
The Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of UIN Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar, Dr. M. Haviz, M.Si, who is also a lecturer in the Biology Study Program at UIN Mahmud Yunus and an alumnus of the Biology Department, FMIPA Universitas Negeri Padang, stated in his remarks that this activity is one of the most effective learning experiences for students participating in the community service program (KKN). He emphasized that real-life engagement with the community provides invaluable lessons—ones that cannot be obtained through classroom learning alone.
Meanwhile, in her presentation session, Dr. Nofi Yendri Sudiar emphasized the importance of preserving the environment. She explained that disasters are not solely the result of fate or divine will, but can also be caused by human actions that disrupt the natural balance. human error. “Contoh paling sederhana, budaya kita dalam membuang sampah, terutama sampah plastik, sebaiknya dikurangi. Plastik adalah materi yang paling sulit dan lama terurai, sehingga saat menjadi sampah ia akan menjadi sumber pencemaran lingkungan dan iklim. Dampak terburuknya dapat berujung kepada bencana, terutama bencana hidrometeorologi,” demikian Nofi.
Dr. Nofi also reminded the audience that the peak of rainfall is expected to occur during the rainy season later this year. “The rainfall during the galodo disaster in May was recorded at around 140–150 mm. However, peak rainfall levels can exceed 350 mm,” explained Dr. Nofi Yendri Sudiar, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Indonesian Drone Pilot Association for West Sumatra and Head of the Physics Laboratory at the Physics Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Padang. *[MIG]