Integrating Modern Technology and Local Wisdom in Tsunami Early Warning Systems: Evidence from Serang Regency, Indonesia

Indonesia's coastal regions remain highly vulnerable to tsunami hazards, yet the effectiveness of existing early warning systems continues to be challenged by both technological and institutional limitations. In Serang Regency, Banten Province, the presence of modern technologies such as the Warning Receiver System (WRS-NG21) and early warning sirens has not been sufficient to ensure timely community response during emergencies. Weak coordination, inadequate maintenance, and limited community awareness have constrained their performance. At the same time, local wisdom-based communication systems—including mosque loudspeakers, traditional kentongan signaling, and social media networks—continue to play a central role in disseminating warnings at the grassroots level. This study examines how institutional roles and local wisdom can be effectively integrated to strengthen a community-based tsunami early warning system in Serang Regency. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from six coastal villages through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that integrating modern technologies with traditional communication practices creates a hybrid warning model that enhances both technical reliability and cultural legitimacy. The study identifies gaps in institutional coordination, insufficient standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the lack of local government support mechanisms as critical barriers to system sustainability. The results demonstrate that hybrid early warning systems can improve community trust, response speed, and overall disaster resilience. This study contributes theoretically by expanding the discourse on inclusive disaster governance, showing how local knowledge can complement formal institutional structures. Practically, the research proposes a framework for embedding indigenous practices within modern warning infrastructures, offering policy guidance for local governments in other tsunami-prone areas. Socially, it underscores the value of empowering communities as active agents in disaster preparedness and adaptive resilience.