determination flood main caused

1 The Determination of Flood Main Caused Using Root Cause Analysis (Sari, A.N, et al)

The Determination of Flood Main Caused in Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia

Using Root Cause Analysis Method

Annisa Novita Sari1, Adi Susilo

2, Edi Susilo

3

1Magister Program of Environmental Resource Management University of Brawijaya

Email: [email protected], Phone: +6285735173522 2Physic Department Science Faculty University of Brawijaya

3Social Economic Department of Fisheries and Marine Science Faculty

University of Brawijaya

Abstract

This study aims to identify the main cause of flood occured in Ponorogo District,

focused in Ngampel Village, Balong District which is a flood area. The method used in this

study are survey method, and data collection techniques including observations, interviews,

questionnaires, and documentations. The data analysis method used in this study is Root

Cause Analysis. The results showed that the main cause of flood consist of low knowledge,

education and awareness of the community, low of environmental enforcement system, and

low of socialization to community about good environmental management.

Keywords: Flood, Disaster Mitigation, Root Cause Analysis, Ponorogo District

INTRODUCTION

Background

Flood is one of the disasters that cause the big impact, from the physical damage up to

the emergence of traumatice sense for the affected community. The Regulation Number

24/2007 about Disaster Management mentions that there are many kinds of disaster, which

one of them is flood. Indonesia is one of a flood vulnerable country. Frequently, flood hits

several areas in Indonesia, especially in Java Island. Suyanto (2008) reports that the disaster

which is frequently occured, especially in East Java, are flood and cyclones or hurricanes.

Those kind of disasters almost occur all over the city/regency in East Java. Although this

disaster only occurred in rainy season, but the impact was devastating. The causes of flood in

urban areas are the error of spatial planning and city planning policies which are dominated

by commercial forces. Whereas in rural areas, flood occurs due to the overflow of the river,

high rainfall and the condition of the fragile leeves.

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Several researches have been done to examine more deeply about the cause of flood.

Sebastian (2008) says that flood can be caused by two factors, natural causes and human

activity causes. The natural causes consist of rainfalls, physiographic, erosions and

sedimentations, river capacity, drainage capacity, and the influence of tides. The human

activity causes include the changes of watershed conditions, residential areas around the

banks, the destruction of land drainage, the damage of flood buildings, the damage of the

forests, and the bad planning of flood control system.

The Problem

The huge flood disaster had occured in Ponorogo Regency at the end of 2007, caused

by the overflowing of Bengawan Solo river which flows in this area. Heavy rainfall was not

accommodated by the river was overflowed so that the river overflowed and flooded the

surrounding areas. The huge flood also occurred on February 22nd

, 2012, which was also

flooded Balong District and its surrounding areas, which was also caused by high intensity of

rainfall. The losses was considerable, such as inundation of some schools, hundreds of public

houses in four villages, thousands hectares of farmland, cut off access to the main road

between Ponorogo Regency and Pacitan Regency, and the interuption of economic activity

(Java Pos, 2012).

Considering the magnitude impact of the flood disaster, it is important to consider

several efforts to overcome the disaster. The overcome should be based on the examination

of the flood main cause that had been known. The overcome effort must involve all of the

stakeholders. The decision making consists of different stakeholders, which have a common

in finding the source of problems, and have the authority to resolve the existing problems

together (Steins and Edwards, 1999; Djalante, 2012). To overcome the disaster that often

occurs in this country, the Government and community have tried to increase the interest and


ability in disaster management efforts, especially after the tsunami disaster at the end of 2004

(Maarif, 2010).

Research Purposes

This research was carried out referring to the importance of knowledge about the root

cause of a phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to determine the main cause of flood in

Ngampel Village, Balong District, Ponorogo Regency, so that it can be used as a reference to

determine the effort of flood management that occur almost every year, involving all relevant

stakeholders.

METHODOLOGY

The research was conducted in Balong District, Ponorogo Regency, and took place the

flood-prone location in Ngampel Village. The time of the study was done during December

2012 to January 2013. This research uses the descriptive qualitative method by using survey

method. The survey was included on the area condition and the community behavior in

managing the area. The data collecting method consist of observations, interviews,

questionnaires, and documentations. The sampling techniques are purposive sampling and

snowball sampling. The data types used in this research are primary and secondary data.

Primary data are obtained by the result of observations, interviews, and questionnaires.

Secondary data are obtained from the documents held by the relevant stakeholders.

The data analysis method uses the Root Cause Analysis (RCA). RCA is one of the tools

used to find the root cause of the problem (Shift Magazine, 2013). The way of thinking is to

identify the root cause of the problem by using a series of verbal models "why-why-why",

followed by a visual modeling as flow charts (Harsono, 2008). The results of this analysis is a

description of the main causes of flood that refers to the findings in the field.


FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

The General Condition of Research Location

Ngampel Village is one of the villages in Balong District, Ponorogo Regency. The total

area of this village are 290,585 hectares. The boundaries of Ngampel Village are Madusari

Village in North, Turi Village in East, Balong Village in South, and Muneng Village in West.

Geographycally, Ngampel village is located at 110 meters above sea level with a temperature

of 28oC and rainfall of 2000 mm/year. The population of Ngampel village on 2011 are 4.117

people. The majority of the population who works as Farmer Entrepreneur are 496 people

(50%). The education level of the community who are has not/did not complete the primary

school are about 2.272 people (55%).

Flood and The Impacts

The flood, which is frequently occur in Ngampel village, comes from the overflow of

Pelem river, which is the main river flowing in this village. Flood occurs every year in this

village. The huge flood occurred in the end of 2007 and flooded again on February, 2012.

The flood on 2012, flooded all around the village area. Based on the information from The

Head of Ngampel Village, that the flood elevation is ± 1 meter, and flooded the village during

two days. Based on the data from The Regional Disaster Management Agencies of Ponorogo

Regency, the flood that occurred on February 23, 2012 in Balong District, had the impact on

the damage of buildings whice are about 2 houses collapsed and 220 houses were submerged,

and the agricultural land submerged about 280 hectares. Flood occured again on the last of

December, 2012 to the early of January, 2013. The losses suffered by the community include

the damage of agricultural areas, so that some of them threatened by crop-failure. It is noted

down that, agricultural land in Ngampel village which had been hit by flood is about 12

hectares and crop-failure is about 5 hectares.


Flood Cause Factors

The flood causes in Ngampel Village consist of 2 factors: natural factors and human

activities.

a. Natural Factors

The natural factors cause of flood cause are rainfall, topography, and river condition.

1) Rainfall

The upstream of Pelem River placed at 3 location: Cepoko Village (Ngrayun

District), Gajah Village (Sambit District), and Tumpuk Village (Sawoo District).

The intensity of rainfall in upstream of Pelem River are belonging to the high-

intensity of rainfall. The range of rainfall at three stations in the upstream of Pelem

River in the rainy season is about 1200-3200 mm/year. Flood often occurs on

January, February, and December, which the average rainfall ranges between 100-

450 mm. Sosrodarsono dan Takeda (1993) mention that the intensity of heavy

rainfall is about >100 mm. The amount of rainfall in Balong District is smaller than

in upstream area. The average of rainfall in Balong District is between 1300–2600

mm/year. The amount of rainfall in Ngampel Village is about 2000 mm/year,

smaller than upstream and Balong District. In line of that, the flood in Ngampel

Village was not always caused of its own condition, but sometimes as an impact

from high intensity of rainfall in upstream area. When the capacity of the river is not

enough, the river will overflow and flood the surrounding area.

2) Topography

Topographically, Balong District located between 140-150 meters above sea

level. Ngampel village located at an altitude of 110 meters above sea level. Based on

the topography of the region, Ngampel Village is a lowland if it is compared with its


surrounding areas. So, the flow of river water from upstream will flow and gather

into this area.

3) River Condition

Pelem River is a main river which flows in Ngampel Village. Pelem River is a

place where the current of several river above meet, such as Tiron River (Cepoko

Village, Ngrayun District), Munggu, Nambang, Dukuh, Ngadisanan River (Gajah

Village, Sambit District), and Sobo River (Tumpuk Village, Sawoo District). The

environmental Office of Ponorogo Regency reported that the length of Pelem River

is about 18,00 km. Water discharge of this river are maximum 691 m3/second and

minimum 50 m3/second. The problem always happen in this river are erosion and

sedimentation. Kartasapoetra (2005) mentions that erosion is a loosened proses of

soil layer due to water pressure and wind power, occurred by both naturally and

human activities. Sebastian (2008) adds, that the erosion which occurs in watershed

will effect on the reduction of river capacity. The impact of erosion is sedimentation

arising on riverbed. Consequently, it will reduce the river width and depth, so that it

decrease the capacity of the river. If the water flow is too big and the river body can

not accommodate it, the river will overflowed and flood the surrounding areas.

The condition of river ecology can affect to the river condition, viewing from

vegetation cover and soil conditions in the riparian area. The dominant vegetations

growing in riparian Pelem River is bamboo tree (Bambusa arudinacea). Bamboo

tree is a fast growing plant, especially in areas which are damp and cold, such as in

watershed. Eventhough it is so, the local people complain about the bamboo tree.

People assume that the cause of flood in their area is the result of a river blockage

caused by cracks of the bamboo trees.


The land condition in riparian area also affects the river condition, especially

the rate of erosions in that area. Regional Planning Agencies of Ponorogo Regency

reports that the dominant type of the soil is alluvial soil. Hardiyatmo (2006) says that

alluvial soil will be carried by water and if it settles at the bottom of the river, it

called fluvial sediments. Fluvial sediments formed has different sizes, ranging from

large rocks to colloidal clay. The silt formed tends soft, and the sand sediments tend

to be loose, so it is susceptible to landslides and erosion and cause the emergence of

sedimentation in the riverbed.

b. People Behaviour Factors

People behavior factors include illegal logging, the habit of throwing garbage into the

river, the critical level of land, and the bad management of riparian area.

1) Illegal Logging

Environmental Office of Ponorogo Regency (2012) reports that the most forest

area in Ponorogo serves as a protected forest which is about 16,987 hectares and the

production forest which is about 31,519.2 hectares. The forest area including in the

upstream of Pelem River is absolute protected forest, serves to provide the

protection of the surrounding area and its subordinates as watersheds, preventing

flood and erosion, and also maintain soil fertility which absolute serves as a buffer

of life.

The forest problems are the high pressure done by some person such as

looting, burning, and the use of forests for the benefit of cultivation so that it gives

impact to the loss of flora and fauna species. It is noted that the forest fire which has

been occurred is up to ± 1 hectare. Based on the information from The Forestry

Extension of Balong District, the problems that often occur in forest areas is low


awareness of the community in using the forests. Frequently, local people take the

wood and cutting down the trees in protected forest areas for economic needs.

2) Throwing the garbage into the river

The low of educational degree makes people think that river also serves as a

final disposal site. The impact is that people throw the domestic waste, either in the

form of plastic waste (inorganic) and organic waste, into the river. Based on the

interview result of several people, the habit of throwing garbage into the river is still

existed. The most of garbage in river which is around 5-10 m3 is in the form of

plastic waste of food wrappers, baby and adult bandage, and used clothing. Clogging

garbage in the river flow is also obtained from the fault branches and leaves of the

bamboo trees that thrives on the banks of the river. The impact is that the rubbish

heap of fault trees will clog the flow of the river, especially in the bottom of the

bridge which can disrupt the water flow of river.

3) Critical Land

The total area of critical land in upstream of Pelem River is about 2,651.590

hectares or 44% from the total area of Sambit District. Whereas the total critical land

in Balong District is about 1,637.890 hectares or 29%. The large critical land is

located in Slahung District, which is about 6,170.58 Hectares or 68% from the total

area of the district. This land damage caused by land conversion. The forest area in

the upstream turns into cultivation area which impacts to the losses of flora and

fauna species. The impact is the declining of the land function as water, land and air

control.

4) Bad Riparian Management

Based on the Government Law Number 28/2011 about River, the minimal

border in using the riparian is especially in terms of permanent buildings


establishment, except water resources infrastructure building, bridge and dock

facilities, pipelines of drinking water, and the range of electrical and

telecommunication cables. If there are buildings in riparian, the buildings will state

into quo statues and gradually must be disciplined to restore the riparian function.

The riparian area in Ngampel Village used for the production of crops, such

as Banana Tree. In the several location, the local people also use the riparian as

breeding locations, such as cows and goats. The shortest distance of community

houses from the mouth of the river is ± 5 m, so if the river overflow, it will enter the

residential areas and flood it. The riparian area in Ngampel Village also covered by a

bamboo plant. Based on the Department of Public Works of Ponorogo Regency, the

presence of bamboo trees in the riparian area was caused by the cultivation, which is

done by the people themselves. Although bamboo plants have environmental

functions as a retaining rate of soil erosion in the river, but the nature characteristic

of this plant which can grow quickly if the environmental conditions are appropriate,

makes people feel that the flood caused by a blockage of the riverflow from cracks

in the bamboo trees.

Root Cause Analysis

Based on that study of flood causal factors that have been known, then continued by

analyzing the main factors of flood cause, so the root cause of the flood disaster can be

discovered. The determination of the main factors causing the floods in Pelem River is

analyzed by using Root Cause Analysis. The root of the problem is analyzed by using "5-

Why" method, which is illustrated in the flow chart of causation.

The root cause of flood problem are known from the increasing of the population

growth, which increases the demand on land for agriculture so that there is the change of

forest conversion into agricultural. This condition is increasingly becoming more severe if it


is followed by the people low level of education, lack of knowledge and awareness to manage

their environment. The law enforcement system which is not expressly, also gives effect to

the watershed management. As a result, the environmental damage causes disaster for this

region. Therefore, multi-sector involvement in the management of the area is necessary to

formulate appropriate environmental management policy in order to minimize the flood.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

Conclusion

The conclusion that can be drawn from this research is there are several factors which

causingflood in Ngampel Village, Balong District, Ponorogo Regency, which include natural

factors and human factors. The root causes of these problem are known include: population

increase; lack of knowledge, education and public awareness; also the lack of the law rigor

against environmental violations. The root of the problem which has been known can be used

as a reference in determining the flood prevention efforts.

Suggestion

It is suggested that in the process of river basin management, especially in flood

prevention efforts, not only done by one region, but also involves other areas which also

include in one unified of watershed, start from upstream to downstream by involving all

relevant stakeholders in order to avoid inequality basin management policies that can

exacerbate the flood.

REFERENCES

Regional Planning Agencies of Ponorogo Regency. 2006. Final Report. Identification of

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platforms in disaster risk reduction. Natural Hazard and Earth System Sciences.

Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. Vol. 12.

pg. 2923-2942

Java Pos. 2012. Flood-Landslide Lunge 4 Disctricts. (23 February): pg. 31


Hardiyatmo, H. C. 2006. Handling The Landslide and Erosion. Gadjah Mada University

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determination flood main caused

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