Mataram, University of Mataram – Flooding hit the University of Mataram (Unram) campus area after the Ancar River overflowed on Sunday, July 6, 2025. This overflow was caused by accumulated garbage that clogged the flow under the bridge in front of the campus as well as high rain intensity in the upstream area.

Vice Rector II of Unram, Prof. Dr. Sukardi, M.Pd. said that the university immediately took quick action in handling the impact of the flood.

“We have mobilized all available resources and established intensive communication with the Mataram City Government to obtain assistance, as well as other parties, especially in terms of transporting garbage and mud,” he said.

He added that the main priority at this time is to clean up the affected areas.

“Most importantly, we focus first on dealing with garbage and mud. For a number of facilities that have been damaged, we will immediately repair them to avoid disrupting the implementation of Unram’s duties in public services, especially in the field of education,” he explained.

Unram Rector, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D., responded to the condition by emphasizing the importance of long-term solutions. He revealed that the university had designed the construction of embankments along the Ancar River in front of the campus as a form of preventing similar disasters.

“In the future, we plan to construct an embankment along the river in front of Unram to prevent this kind of incident from happening again. This is a proactive measure that must be implemented immediately,” said the Rector.

The Rector also highlighted the main cause of the flood, which was garbage blocking the water flow under the bridge in front of the campus.

“The accumulation of garbage under the bridge is very high. When heavy rain pours over the Ancar River catchment area, the water overflows because the flow is blocked,” he added.

He also reminded that river siltation is a crucial issue.

“The Ancar River that crosses in front of the campus needs to be dredged from the Unram area to its end at the beach. Without that, the capacity of the river will remain low,” he said.

Furthermore, the Rector emphasized that flood management cannot be solely handled by educational institutions or the government. He stressed the importance of collective awareness among the public.

“Do not deforest recklessly, do not build settlements too close to riverbanks, and do not litter indiscriminately. Everyone must play an active role,” he urged.

The Rector also added that reforestation campaigns and environmental education will continue to be intensified.

“We need a consistent collective movement—replanting open land, maintaining river flows, and education from various parties to build shared awareness,” he concluded.