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Community Participation Strengthens Flood Mitigation in Bima City, Study Finds
Residents of West Rasana’e District in Bima City are playing an increasingly important role in reducing flood risks, according to a 2026 study conducted by Jufrin, Firdaus, and Nini Apriani Rumata from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. Published in the Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), the research found that community participation in flood mitigation activities is generally high, although many preventive actions are still carried out only when flood threats become imminent.
The findings are significant for disaster-prone regions across Indonesia, where recurring floods continue to disrupt livelihoods, damage infrastructure, and affect public health and education. The study highlights the importance of community engagement as a key component of sustainable disaster management.
Flood Risk Remains a Major Challenge in Bima
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters in Indonesia. In Bima City, located in West Nusa Tenggara Province, floods occur frequently during the rainy season. West Rasana’e District is considered particularly vulnerable because of its low-lying terrain, dense population, proximity to Bima Bay, and drainage systems that often struggle to handle heavy rainfall.
Historical disaster records show the scale of the challenge. Major flooding in 2016 affected more than 33,000 people in the district, while subsequent flood events in 2021, 2023, and 2024 continued to impact thousands of residents and hundreds of households.
According to the researchers, environmental pressures such as reduced water absorption areas, rapid urban development, and improper waste disposal have contributed to increasing flood vulnerability. These conditions make community involvement essential for effective mitigation and preparedness.
How the Research Was Conducted
The research focused on residents living in flood-prone areas of West Rasana’e District. The study involved 101 respondents selected through purposive sampling, ensuring that participants had direct experience with flood events or mitigation activities.
Researchers used a structured questionnaire based on a Likert scale to measure public participation and awareness in four key areas:
- Flood mitigation planning
- Implementation of mitigation activities
- Maintenance of mitigation infrastructure and environmental conditions
- Emergency response and post-flood recovery
The collected data were analyzed quantitatively to determine the overall level of community participation and awareness.
Residents Show Strong Engagement in Flood Mitigation
The study found encouraging levels of public involvement across all stages of flood disaster management.
Average participation scores included:
- Planning activities: 3.29 (moderate to high)
- Implementation activities: 3.42 (high)
- Maintenance activities: 3.39 (moderate to high)
- Emergency response and mitigation: 3.43 (high)
These scores indicate that residents actively contribute to efforts such as:
- Attending community meetings on flood preparedness
- Participating in environmental clean-up programs
- Maintaining drainage systems and waterways
- Planting trees and vegetation to reduce flood risk
- Assisting flood victims during emergencies
- Supporting post-flood recovery and infrastructure repairs
Among the strongest areas of participation was emergency response. Many residents reported helping neighbors during floods, contributing labor or resources to affected households, and participating in the restoration of public facilities after disasters.
Implementation activities also received strong ratings, reflecting widespread involvement in community service projects and environmental management initiatives designed to reduce flood hazards.
Awareness Is High, but Participation Is Often Situational
Although overall participation levels were classified as high, the researchers identified an important limitation.
Many residents become highly active during or immediately after flood events but are less engaged in long-term prevention efforts. This pattern suggests that community participation has not yet become a routine part of everyday environmental management.
The study found that some residents still view flood management primarily as a government responsibility rather than a shared community obligation. As a result, preventive measures may receive less attention compared to emergency response activities.
The researchers argue that strengthening community awareness before disasters occur is essential for building long-term resilience.
Why These Findings Matter
The findings provide valuable lessons for local governments, disaster management agencies, and community organizations across Indonesia.
As climate change contributes to more frequent and intense weather events, communities that actively participate in preparedness and mitigation efforts are generally better equipped to reduce disaster impacts.
The study suggests several practical steps to strengthen community-based flood mitigation:
- Expanding disaster preparedness training programs
- Conducting regular public awareness campaigns
- Increasing community empowerment initiatives
- Encouraging routine environmental maintenance
- Strengthening collaboration between government agencies and local residents
By integrating these approaches into everyday community life, local authorities may be able to reduce flood-related losses and improve public safety.
Researcher Perspective
The authors from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar emphasize that community participation should not be limited to emergency situations.
According to the research team, the residents of West Rasana’e District have already demonstrated strong awareness and willingness to participate in flood mitigation activities. However, they note that this participation remains largely reactive and should be transformed into a continuous, community-driven practice supported by education, training, and local empowerment programs.
Their findings align with community awareness theories that emphasize the importance of combining knowledge, reflection, and collective action to create lasting social and environmental change.
Source
Article Title: Level of Community Participation in Flood Disaster Mitigation Efforts in West Rasana'e District, Bima City
Authors: Jufrin, Firdaus, Nini Apriani Rumata
Journal: Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA)
Publication Year: 2026
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