Entering the third week, flooding continues to swamp at least 50 villages in Pati Regency, Central Java. In Juwana District, several areas, including Tluwah, Jepuro, and Kedung Pancing Village, remain isolated due to severed road access and submerged residential areas. In response to these conditions, the UGM Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) Team of the Arung Juwana Unit, together with the Tluwah Flood Volunteer Group, moved swiftly to evacuate residents, coordinate efforts, and distribute aid to those affected.
The Student Unit Coordinator, Larasati Daniswara, noted that student involvement in disaster response offers a meaningful lesson in empathy and social awareness within the community.
“We learned about disaster mitigation directly from residents who remained calm in facing this situation. Empathy and the spirit of mutual cooperation have become the community’s main strengths in dealing with disasters,” she said on Thursday (Jan. 29).
Daniswara further explained that KKN-PPM students, alongside volunteer teams, were actively involved in on-site activities.
These included managing donation logistics at disaster sites, preparing meals with local women in public kitchens, assisting healthcare workers with mobile health checks, and distributing aid directly to residents’ homes.
The Head of the Tluwah Flood Volunteer Group, Dewi Riyani, explained that flooding is a recurring event for residents.
However, the floods at the beginning of this year were considered comparable to the major 2014 flood, particularly due to the rapid rise in water levels that inundated residential areas.
According to her, these conditions require strong synergy and rapid responses from various stakeholders to minimize material losses and potential casualties.
“The current floods remind us of the major flood in 2014, when water levels rose so quickly and submerged our homes. We are grateful for the assistance provided by the KKN students,” she said.
Village official Taurina expressed appreciation to all volunteers and the KKN-PPM UGM Team for their dedication and for working together to respond to the disaster.
“Thank you very much for your dedication. Even though you are tired, may this disaster become a valuable experience and learning opportunity for your future,” she concluded.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photographs: Arung Juwana Team