BANDA ACEH (BAITURRAHMANFM) – The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) held an event titled “Socialization of the Tsunami Poles and EvaNami to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness” on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the Dr. Ir. M. Ridha Auditorium, TDMRC USK. This event is part of the TDMRC IN-SAINTEK 2025 Program, carrying the theme “Science Literacy for Disaster Resilience.” Through this program, USK aims to strengthen the synergy between scientific research, education, and the community in building disaster preparedness, particularly for tsunamis that devastated Aceh two decades ago.
Rector of USK, Prof. Dr. Ir. Marwan
In his remarks, Rector of USK Prof. Dr. Ir. Marwan emphasized the university’s commitment to becoming a pioneer of disaster science literacy in Indonesia. He stated that the TDMRC IN-SAINTEK 2025 Program represents USK’s concrete contribution to bringing science closer to society. “We are proud that USK was chosen as one of the organizers of this national program among more than 500 universities across Indonesia. Through this initiative, we hope to nurture a generation that is smart, caring, and resilient in the face of disaster risks,” Prof. Marwan said.
He added that the event showcases two key innovations: the Tsunami Poles, serving as both historical heritage and public education tools, and EvaNami, a serious game designed as an interactive digital learning medium to introduce tsunami evacuation routes.
Dr. Sylvia Agustina
Dr. Sylvia Agustina, S.T., MUP, Coordinator of the TDMRC IN-SAINTEK 2025 Program, explained that out of 513 proposals from universities across Indonesia, TDMRC was selected as one of 14 grantees under the In-Saintek Program category. The theme proposed by TDMRC, “Science Literacy for Disaster Resilience,” includes several initiatives to enhance disaster literacy among communities, such as:
- Disaster Science Camp – Enhancing disaster literacy with the theme GeoHazards
- Socialization of Tsunami Poles and the EvaNami Device to improve disaster readiness
- Workshop on Virtual Reality Utilization for sustainable environments and preparedness for Mount Seulawah volcanic hazards
- Workshop on the Use of SupeRISKa Tools and Building Databases for disaster management in Banda Aceh
Prof. Syamsidik
Prof. Syamsidik, Director of TDMRC USK, elaborated that tsunami poles hold great scientific value. They are not only memorials but also serve as empirical data sources to validate tsunami numerical models. He stated that while tsunami events are rare, their impacts are catastrophic, making numerical simulations crucial to reconstructing wave propagation and height for both past events and future scenarios. “Tsunami pole data are essential for validating simulation results to make them more accurate than those based solely on global datasets,” Prof. Syamsidik explained. He emphasized that tsunami poles carry both scientific and educational significance, helping researchers understand wave heights and arrival times, while also serving as educational tools for communities and youth.
Nasrol Adil, M.T
Nasrol Adil, Head of the BMKG Meteorological Station Class I Sultan Iskandar Muda, reported that there are over 85 tsunami poles across key locations in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, including Lambaro Skep, Blang Padang, Punge Jurong, Kajhu, and Krung Raya. However, field assessments found that about 80% are poorly maintained, and five have disappeared due to construction or environmental changes. “The presence of tsunami poles is not just symbolic but educationally vital. We encourage asset management to be transferred to relevant local institutions to ensure sustainable preservation and utilization,” Nasrol stated.
This revitalization effort is also part of the upcoming Tsunami Pole Competition 2025, a collaborative campaign initiated by BMKG Aceh to promote community-based disaster preparedness. The initiative is supported by the Banda Aceh City Government and local stakeholders, including TDMRC USK, to develop the poles as public education tools. The assessment and evaluation of the poles’ conditions were also conducted during the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 Aceh Tsunami, attended by Prof. Sugimoto, an international expert who has significantly contributed to disaster mitigation research in Aceh.
Ir. Myna Agustina, MURP
Meanwhile, Ir. Myna Agustina Yusuf from USK’s Department of Architecture and Planning highlighted the importance of preserving the 85 tsunami poles spread across Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. She proposed that these sites could be developed as part of the “Banda Aceh Tsunami Heritage City”, integrating historical, educational, and tourism aspects. Many residents remain unaware of these monuments, though they hold great potential for dark tourism or educational tourism.
She outlined a three-level development strategy:
- Macro level: Integrating tsunami poles into city spatial planning and tourism policies.
- Meso level: Developing a “Tsunami Trail of Banda Aceh” route.
- Micro level: Enhancing each site with QR codes, bilingual information boards, and community engagement.
Ir. Juliana Fisaini, M.T
In the following session, Juliana Fisaini, a young researcher from TDMRC, introduced EvaNami, a serious game designed to enhance public understanding of tsunami evacuation routes. The game employs a learning-by-doing approach, challenging players to choose safe evacuation routes under emergency conditions. EvaNami was tested in Baitussalam Subdistrict, Aceh Besar, a coastal area prone to tsunamis without vertical evacuation buildings. “EvaNami is not just a game, it’s a new way to learn preparedness. Through digital simulation, people can understand risks and emergency responses in an engaging way,” Juliana said.
The socialization event was attended by participants from the media, educators, coastal communities, and local influencers. In addition to presentations, attendees joined a field trip tracing tsunami poles at key historical sites in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar.
Map of the Tsunami Pole Route
After the main session, participants visited five tsunami pole sites:
- Tsunami Pole No. 69 – Lamteungoh Mosque, Peukan Bada
- Tsunami Pole No. 40 – Tgk. Dianjong Peulanggahan
- Tsunami Pole No. 1 – Lamdingin Al-Abrar Mosque
- Tsunami Pole No. 18 – Aceh Regional Library
- Tsunami Pole No. 25 – MAN 3 Rukoh
This activity aimed to provide participants with firsthand experience of the tsunami’s height and impact during the 2004 disaster. Beyond preserving Aceh’s collective memory, the initiative seeks to broaden disaster education outreach through participants’ social media engagement. Each pole features vital information, including tsunami inundation height, distance from the coastline, and wave arrival time at that location.(*)
*Sumber : tdmrc.usk.ac.id
