Institute for Research and Community Service Bandung Institute of Technology (LPPM ITB) 2023, carried out a top down community service program in Titigogoli Village, Morotai Jaya District, North Maluku.

The service, led by Mohammad Farid, Ph.D, was in the context of increasing community resilience against flooding and coastal erosion.

The reason is, Titigogoli Village has a number of natural beauties, such as pristine beaches. However, behind that there is the threat of natural disasters lurking in this village.

Through this program, Titigogoli Village officials and residents were provided with education regarding early warning tools for flooding. Both in the form of sensors for river water level and rain level.

"Furthermore, outreach is also carried out on physical water level observation methods through the use of peilschaal and the delivery of information, community-based alternative solutions to coastal erosion disasters," said Farid.

Based on the results of a field visit carried out on Thursday (17/8) by the LPPM ITB Team, he continued, the river in the village is the confluence of two tributaries from the upstream area. This causes an increase in the potential for water overflow when the rainy season arrives.

"Apart from that, the two tributaries also carry rocks and other sedimentation which causes shallowness and reduces the river's capacity. So the water overflowed and touched residential areas. "On January 8 2022, the overflow is estimated to have reached a height of up to 92 cm and submerged several residents' houses," he explained.

That way, there will be an early flood warning device planned to be installed in the village. This tool works automatically and is connected to a closed social media platform to report the results of measuring river water levels and rainfall levels to local village officials.

"In addition to the measurement results, the information provided is in the form of warnings about potential flooding so that people can evacuate early. At the beginning of its development, outreach focused on field visits and introducing the tools to residents. "Later, we will continue with installation and development in the form of additional monitoring cameras that can provide an overview of river conditions," he said.

On the other hand, the LPPM ITB Team also identified the causes of coastal erosion in the village. From the results of observations, beach abrasion occurs less than one meter from the shoreline due to the lack of wave breaking infrastructure.

"Then the mixture of volcanic sand and white sand as part of beach sand makes it difficult for mangrove trees to grow and develop. "So the role of mangroves as a solution to control abrasion requires other community-based alternatives," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Titigogoli Village, Mr. Robi Toni, hopes that the LPPM ITB community service program in Titigogoli Village will continue in efforts to alleviate the problems of flooding and coastal erosion. So that these problems can be minimized until they are resolved properly.

"We are grateful for the presence of the LPPM ITB team in Titigogoli Village and look forward to their presence and continuation of the LPPM ITB activities," he said.