The UGM Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) team has once again delivered an innovation that benefits the community. In this instance, a student from the UGM KKN Saba Mortara 2025 team successfully developed a flood detection device named “Bungintimbe WaterSafe”, which was installed in Bungintimbe Village, East Petasia District, North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
The device was created by Muhammad Nadhir Al Ghifari, an undergraduate student of UGM’s Department of Engineering Physics, accompanied by his teammates and a village official who assisted with the device installation.
Al Ghifari explained that the main objective of the flood detector is to protect villagers who are often affected by flooding.
“Based on my observations, many residents, especially in Hamlet 3 of Bungintimbe Village, are severely impacted by the annual flooding of the La River,” Al Ghifari said in an interview on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.
Amborape, Acting Head of Bungintimbe Village Government, welcomed this technological innovation created by UGM students.
He highlighted that flooding is a recurring disaster in Bungintimbe Village that significantly affects the community.
“Flooding in Bungintimbe can occur once or twice a year. Sometimes it’s annual, sometimes every two years, and occasionally every five years,” he noted.
Al Ghifari explained that the Bungintimbe WaterSafe detection mechanism uses advanced sensors to detect water levels every five minutes.
Ultrasonic waves are reflected toward a sensor to measure water height.
Sensor data is then transmitted via a database to a web-based dashboard accessible to the public.
Furthermore, Al Ghifari added that the flood detector issues a “warning” code when the La River’s water level reaches 180 cm, offering residents an immediate indicator to prepare for flooding.
“This system enables real-time monitoring of the La River’s water level without assigning personnel to conduct manual checks at all times,” he said.
The presence of the Bungintimbe WaterSafe device is expected to become an effective early warning system for Bungintimbe residents.
With automated hourly monitoring, villagers can access up-to-date information on water levels and anticipate flooding more proactively.
Consequently, this digital innovation is envisioned to serve as a reference for the village government in creating a resilient, disaster-prepared community, especially against flooding in riverine areas.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: UGM KKN Saba Mortara 2025 Team