A Disaster That Keeps Returning and a Responsibility That Keeps Being Delayed
Source: https://news.detik.com
Floods in Aceh are no longer merely a natural phenomenon; they have become a reflection of unresolved issues in environmental governance, infrastructure management, and social responsibility. Every rainy season, the community once again has to face water rising to knee- or even waist-level, losing their belongings, and even losing their sense of security. But what is even more troubling is the fact that these disasters recur, almost like an annual routine that cannot be avoided.
Aceh is blessed with diverse topography: mountains, large rivers, and lowlands Naturally, the region does possess flood potential. However, the severity of today’s floods cannot be separated from human actions.
Uncontrolled land clearing, deforestation without reforestation, and weak law enforcement against environmental violations have caused a drastic decline in soil absorption. Rivers that were once clear and deep are now shallow, filled with sediment and household waste. When heavy rains fall, the water no longer has a place to infiltrate; it simply flows into increasingly dense residential areas.
Many flood control projects have been constructed, but their effectiveness is often questioned. Broken embankments, poorly maintained drainage, and clogged waterways are common sights. Poorly planned urban development makes flooding almost inevitable, especially in densely populated areas.
Aceh needs a new approach, not just physical projects, but also an integrated disaster risk management system, ranging from early warning systems and mapping of vulnerable areas to training residents in flood preparedness.
Every time a flood strikes, the impacts extend far beyond physical damage. Children are unable to attend school, small traders lose their daily income, and families are forced to stay in evacuation centers with limited facilities. In situations like these, vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and children suffer the most.
Floods must be viewed as a humanitarian issue that requires responses that are swift, fair, and sustainable. Assistance must not only come during the disaster but also afterward, to support the recovery of affected communities.
Public opinion often demands that the government act more quickly, and that is reasonable. However, flood management is not the government’s responsibility alone. The community also has a big role to play: not littering in rivers, preserving green spaces, and participating in environmental clean-up programs.
Disasters will not disappear overnight, but consistent small steps can reduce the risk.
The floods in Aceh are a call to action. Every puddle of water is a reminder that there is a lot of work to be done. If nature cannot be controlled, then humans must change. And that change must begin now—with awareness, collaboration, and the courage to correct the mistakes of the past.
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Writer: Naira Afza Salsabilla/Nutrition Science’23
Editor: Aura Ahyaya Dahayu Putranto/Psychology’22
