The Disaster Study Center of the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) held a workshop titled “SAR Data Application for Flood and Land Subsidence Disaster Monitoring” on November 5, 2024, at the UNHAS Hotel & Convention on the UNHAS Makassar Campus. This activity aimed to introduce and deepen the understanding of using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for disaster monitoring and mitigation, specifically related to flood and land subsidence disasters.

The workshop was attended by academics, researchers, and disaster practitioners. The event also featured speakers, including Prof. Josaphat Tetuko from Chiba University, Japan, and representatives from competent government agencies in the field of disaster and disaster monitoring technology.

During the workshop, participants were educated on the operational principles of SAR technology, which can map and monitor changes in the Earth’s surface with high accuracy, even in adverse weather conditions or at night. The use of SAR data in detecting floods and land subsidence is expected to be a solution to optimize disaster early warning systems and enhance the effectiveness of disaster response in Indonesia.

According to the Head of the LPPM UNHAS Disaster Study Center, Ilham Alimuddin, S.T., M.GIS, Ph.D, flood and land subsidence disasters are two major problems frequently occurring in both urban and rural areas. “By utilizing SAR technology, we can monitor the changes occurring more effectively, even in hard-to-reach areas. This will certainly assist in designing more targeted disaster mitigation strategies,” he stated.

Through this workshop, the UNHAS Disaster Study Center hopes to expand its collaboration network among academia, government, and the community in disaster mitigation efforts. Furthermore, the activity is expected to enhance the capacity of participants in using SAR technology for faster and more accurate disaster monitoring. Moving forward, the LPPM UNHAS Disaster Study Center plans to continue holding similar trainings and workshops to introduce various latest technologies that can support more effective and data-driven disaster policies and programs.

With this innovation and cross-sectoral cooperation, it is hoped that Indonesia will be better prepared to face the increasingly complex challenges of natural disasters in the future.