Integrating Spatial Tsunami Risk Analysis and Community Preparedness in Tambakrejo Village, Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia, located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, is exposed to significant tsunami risk that poses a substantial threat to its vulnerable coastal communities. Among the most at-risk areas are the coastal villages, where rapid population growth and limited disaster preparedness infrastructure further exacerbate vulnerability. One such community is Tambakrejo Village in Blitar Regency, which faces high tsunami risk due to its proximity to a seismic gap in the megathrust zone. This study investigates tsunami risk and community preparedness in Tambakrejo Village by integrating spatial analysis of potential inundation areas with community readiness assessment. Guided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the LIPI-UNESCO/ISDR community preparedness framework, the research employs a mixed-method approach combining GIS-based tsunami inundation modeling with a comprehensive community assessment. Data collection involved surveying 100 households through incidental random sampling, conducting semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, organizing focus group discussions, and performing field observations. Spatial analysis revealed that 1.7289 km² (16%) of the village area is susceptible to tsunami inundation, potentially affecting 911 residents, with Krajan Sub-village identified as particularly vulnerable due to its high population density and coastal proximity. The community preparedness assessment, evaluating knowledge and behaviour, emergency planning, warning systems, and resource mobilization capacity, yielded an index value of 60.12. This index was derived using a grading method from the LIPI-UNESCO/ISDR (2006) framework, based on four main parameters: Knowledge and Behavior (KB), Emergency Planning (EP), Warning System (WS), and Resource Mobilization Capacity (RMC). The index places the village in the "Almost Ready" category, with resource mobilization identified as the weakest parameter. The research contributes to the literature by presenting a novel integration of geospatial analysis with community-based preparedness assessment at the village scale, offering a replicable methodology for evaluating tsunami preparedness in rural coastal settings. Findings provide crucial insights for local authorities and disaster management agencies to enhance tsunami preparedness through targeted interventions and evidence-based decision-making in disaster risk reduction planning.