14 Regions in East Java Declare Drought Emergency Status

Fourteen regencies in East Java have declared a drought emergency status as the dry season arrives. Eleven of the regions are on Emergency Alert status, while three are on Emergency Response status.

According to data from the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the 14 regions comprise Bondowoso, Lamongan, Banyuwangi, Lumajang, Bangkalan, Blitar, Pasuruan, Trenggalek, Gresik, Malang, Jember, Sampang, Mojokerto and Situbondo.

Of these, Lumajang, Mojokerto and Situbondo have raised their status to Emergency Response, whilst the other 11 regions remain on Emergency Alert.

In response to the situation, the East Java Provincial Government, through BPBD East Java, is intensifying the distribution of clean water to affected areas whilst preparing a number of anticipatory measures to prevent the water crisis from spreading.

Satriyo Nurseno, Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division at BPBD East Java, said that up to mid-July 2026, BPBD, together with regency governments, businesses and social organisations, had distributed 1,035,000 litres of clean water to affected areas. The assistance was delivered through 207 water tanker trips, reaching 42 districts, 56 villages and 73 hamlets.

“We continue to carry out clean water drops according to needs on the ground. We are also continuing to coordinate with regency and city BPBDs so that the response can be carried out more quickly and on target,” Satriyo said when contacted on Tuesday (20/7).

To face the peak of the dry season, BPBD East Java has prepared a budget of Rp612 million with an estimated 867 clean water distribution trips. In addition, 50 water tanks, 100 folding tanks and 9,600 sheets of tarpaulin have been prepared as part of logistics readiness.

“BPBD East Java has also held technical coordination meetings with regional apparatus organisations (OPD) and regency and city BPBDs to draw up drought response strategies whilst anticipating the potential for forest and land fires during the dry season,” he said.

Beyond clean water distribution, BPBD is ensuring the readiness of its fleet and supporting equipment, ranging from water tankers and logistics vehicles to high-capacity water pumps and emergency lighting equipment, to speed up the response should the drought conditions spread further.