14 Regions in East Java Declare Drought Emergency Status

A total of 14 districts in East Java have declared a drought emergency status with the arrival of the dry season. In detail, 11 regions are under ‘Siaga Darurat’ (emergency alert) status and three regions are under ‘Tanggap Darurat’ (emergency response) status. According to data from the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the 14 areas include 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, while the other 11 districts remain on emergency alert. In response to these conditions, the East Java Provincial Government, through BPBD, is intensifying the distribution of clean water to affected areas while preparing a series of anticipatory measures to prevent the water crisis from spreading. Satriyo Nurseno, Head of Emergency and Logistics at BPBD East Java, stated that as of mid-July 2026, BPBD, together with district governments, businesses, and social organisations, had distributed 1,035,000 litres of clean water to the affected regions. The aid was delivered via 207 tanker truck trips, reaching 42 sub-districts, 56 villages, and 73 hamlets. ‘We continue to drop clean water according to needs on the ground. We are also constantly coordinating with district/city BPBDs so that handling can be carried out more quickly and on target,’ Satriyo said when confirmed 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 trips for clean water distribution. In addition, 50 water reservoir units, 100 folding tanks, and 9,600 tarpaulin sheets have been prepared as part of logistical readiness. ‘BPBD East Java also held a technical coordination meeting with regional apparatus organisations (OPD) and district/city BPBDs to formulate a drought management strategy while 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 tanker trucks and logistics vehicles to high-capacity water pumps and emergency lighting equipment, to accelerate response should the drought conditions expand further.