Factors Causing Vulnerability

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 8 views

Introduction

The Belawan coastal area in Medan City has been experiencing frequent tidal floods due to rising sea levels. These floods have resulted in significant economic losses and displacement of communities, particularly those engaged in vulnerable sectors such as fisheries and trade. The aim of this study is to identify the distribution of tidal flood vulnerability, determine the factors contributing to this vulnerability, and formulate recommendations for adaptation and mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of these disasters.

Background

The Belawan coastal area is a densely populated region with a high concentration of settlements, fisheries, and trade activities. The area is prone to tidal floods, which have become more frequent and severe in recent years due to rising sea levels. The floods have resulted in significant economic losses, displacement of communities, and damage to infrastructure. The impact of these floods is not only limited to the immediate area but also affects the broader economy of the region.

Methodology

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The study area was divided into several sub-areas, and data was collected through surveys, interviews, and field observations. The data was then analyzed using statistical software to identify the distribution of tidal flood vulnerability and the factors contributing to this vulnerability.

Factors Causing Vulnerability

The analysis revealed that the distribution of high vulnerability includes an area of 1,152.36 ha, which is approximately 30% of the total study area. The affected areas include Deli charts (294.38 ha), Belawan Bahagia (65.50 ha), Belawan Bahari (123.08 Ha), Belawan I (194.41 Ha), Belawan II (117.33 Ha), and Sicanang Island (357.66 ha). The vulnerability to tidal floods is influenced by various factors, which can be grouped into physical, social, economic, and environmental factors.

Physical Factors

Physical factors, such as topography and geographical conditions, play a significant role in determining the vulnerability of the area to tidal floods. The area's low-lying terrain and lack of natural barriers make it more susceptible to flooding. The presence of standing water in the area also contributes to the vulnerability.

Social Factors

Social factors, including population density and unplanned settlements, also contribute to the vulnerability of the area. The high population density in the area makes it difficult for residents to evacuate during floods, while unplanned settlements increase the risk of flooding.

Economic Factors

Economic instability and lack of investment in environmental protection also contribute to the vulnerability of the area. The economic instability of residents makes it difficult for them to invest in flood protection measures, such as sea walls or flood gates.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors, such as climate change and sea level rise, also contribute to the vulnerability of the area. The rising sea levels and increased frequency of extreme weather events make the area more susceptible to flooding.

Adaptation and Mitigation Recommendations

Based on the analysis, the following adaptation and mitigation recommendations are proposed:

Mitigation

Mitigation measures should focus on reducing the risk of flooding by modifying the physical environment. This can be achieved through the following measures:

Planning and Management of Coastal Environment: The formation of a protection zone, ecosystem recovery, and infrastructure development that is resistant to tidal floods are some examples of actions that can be taken.
Infrastructure Development: The development of infrastructure, such as sea walls, flood gates, and drainage systems, can help reduce the risk of flooding.
Ecosystem Recovery: The recovery of natural ecosystems, such as mangroves and coral reefs, can help reduce the risk of flooding and improve water quality.

Preparedness

Preparedness measures should focus on strengthening the capacity of the community to respond to disasters. This can be achieved through the following measures:

Training and Education: The provision of training and education on disaster preparedness and response can help residents prepare for and respond to floods.
Volunteer Groups: The formation of volunteer groups can help the community in evacuating and responding quickly during a disaster.
Early Warning Systems: The establishment of early warning systems can help residents prepare for and respond to floods.

Response

Response measures should focus on providing immediate assistance to affected residents. This can be achieved through the following measures:

Provision of Basic Needs: The provision of basic needs, such as food, water, and shelter, is essential for affected residents.
Evacuation: The evacuation of residents from affected areas is critical to prevent loss of life and property.
Search and Rescue: The provision of search and rescue services is essential to locate and rescue affected residents.

Recovery

Recovery measures should focus on restoring the physical, social, economic, and environmental conditions of the affected area. This can be achieved through the following measures:

Physical Rehabilitation: The rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and buildings is essential to restore the physical condition of the area.
Social Rehabilitation: The provision of social services, such as counseling and psychological support, is essential to restore the social condition of the area.
Economic Rehabilitation: The provision of economic support, such as loans and grants, is essential to restore the economic condition of the area.
Environmental Rehabilitation: The rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems, such as mangroves and coral reefs, is essential to restore the environmental condition of the area.

Conclusion

The Belawan coastal area in Medan City is highly vulnerable to tidal floods due to a combination of physical, social, economic, and environmental factors. The implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as planning and management of coastal environment, infrastructure development, ecosystem recovery, training and education, volunteer groups, early warning systems, provision of basic needs, evacuation, search and rescue, physical rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, economic rehabilitation, and environmental rehabilitation, can help minimize the impact of these disasters. The integration of comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies is essential to reduce community vulnerability and increase resilience in dealing with various disaster risks in the future.

Q1: What are the main causes of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area?

A1: The main causes of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area are rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and the area's low-lying terrain and lack of natural barriers.

Q2: What are the most vulnerable areas in the Belawan coastal area?

A2: The most vulnerable areas in the Belawan coastal area include Deli charts, Belawan Bahagia, Belawan Bahari, Belawan I, Belawan II, and Sicanang Island.

Q3: What are the physical factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area?

A3: The physical factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area include topography and geographical conditions, such as the area's low-lying terrain and lack of natural barriers.

Q4: What are the social factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area?

A4: The social factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area include population density and unplanned settlements, which make it difficult for residents to evacuate during floods.

Q5: What are the economic factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area?

A5: The economic factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area include economic instability and lack of investment in environmental protection, which make it difficult for residents to invest in flood protection measures.

Q6: What are the environmental factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area?

A6: The environmental factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area include climate change and sea level rise, which increase the frequency and severity of tidal floods.

Q7: What are the adaptation and mitigation strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of tidal floods?

A7: The adaptation and mitigation strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of tidal floods include planning and management of coastal environment, infrastructure development, ecosystem recovery, training and education, volunteer groups, early warning systems, provision of basic needs, evacuation, search and rescue, physical rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, economic rehabilitation, and environmental rehabilitation.

Q8: How can the community prepare for and respond to tidal floods?

A8: The community can prepare for and respond to tidal floods by implementing early warning systems, training and education, volunteer groups, and provision of basic needs.

Q9: What is the role of government and other stakeholders in reducing the risk of tidal floods?

A9: The government and other stakeholders have a critical role in reducing the risk of tidal floods by implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies, providing funding and resources, and raising awareness about the risks and consequences of tidal floods.

Q10: What is the long-term goal of reducing the risk of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area?

A10: The long-term goal of reducing the risk of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area is to minimize the impact of these disasters and increase the resilience of the community to deal with various disaster risks in the future.

Q11: How can the community and government work together to reduce the risk of tidal floods?

A11: The community and government can work together to reduce the risk of tidal floods by implementing joint adaptation and mitigation strategies, sharing resources and expertise, and raising awareness about the risks and consequences of tidal floods.

Q12: What are the benefits of reducing the risk of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area?

A12: The benefits of reducing the risk of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area include minimizing the impact of these disasters, increasing the resilience of the community, and promoting economic growth and development.

Q13: How can the community and government measure the effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation strategies?

A13: The community and government can measure the effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation strategies by tracking the number of people affected, the amount of damage caused, and the number of lives lost.

Q14: What are the challenges of reducing the risk of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area?

A14: The challenges of reducing the risk of tidal floods in the Belawan coastal area include limited resources, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure.

Q15: How can the community and government overcome the challenges of reducing the risk of tidal floods?

A15: The community and government can overcome the challenges of reducing the risk of tidal floods by working together, sharing resources and expertise, and raising awareness about the risks and consequences of tidal floods.