Measuring Community Preparedness against Tsunami Hazards in the Coastal Area of Watukarung, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The risk of tsunamis along the southern coast of Java continues to increase amid population growth and regional development. Community resilience to such disasters is closely linked to preparedness level. This study investigates community preparedness for tsunami hazards in the coastal area of Watukarung, East Java, Indonesia. Preparedness was evaluated through a questionnaire survey using convenience sampling, involving 54 household respondents. Four parameters were assessed in calculating the Community Preparedness Index (CPI), namely hazard knowledge, emergency response planning, early warning systems and resource mobilization. The results indicate that the CPI value in the Watukarung coastal area is categorized as moderate. At a more detailed level, the highest index score is observed for the hazard knowledge parameter whereas the lowest is observed for the emergency response planning parameter. Nevertheless, the level of preparedness across all four CPI parameters is categorized as moderate. These findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers seeking to strengthen the preparedness of at-risk populations.