Citizen science: Realizing a participatory rain data management for flood disasters early warning systems and building disaster awareness from a very young age

According to official data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in 2021, flooding was Indonesia’s most frequent and destructive disaster. Thus, better disaster management, including early warning systems (EWS) and disaster mitigation based on accurate rainfall data, is essential. This paper was written based on preliminary research on the development of citizen science in Wonosobo and Banjarnegara regencies, Central Java, which aims to develop a very early warning system (VEWS) and community-based rainfall data management. Modified rain gauges are installed in elementary schools in the upstream Serayu watershed. Students, in turn, do data recording. This effort ensures continuity of observation, the introduction of science and technology, and increased literacy about floods and landslides and their mitigation. From the initial research, it can be stated that the integration of the citizen science model into compulsory subjects for elementary school children is very prospective for accelerating students’ understanding of subjects related to natural sciences. A citizen science approach that is carried out correctly is able to produce accurate rainfall data continuously. These two things are enabling factors for the effective and efficient implementation of the VEWS flood disaster in the upstream watershed.