Anticipating Peak Dry Season, 19 Regions in Central Java on Alert for Drought and Forest Fires
A number of regions in Central Java have begun implementing various mitigation measures to anticipate the peak of the dry season, which is forecast to occur between August and September 2026. These efforts are focused on handling drought and preventing forest and land fires (karhutla).
Based on observations on Tuesday (21 July), the mitigation steps taken include saving water usage, distributing clean water assistance, and close monitoring of potential fire sparks. These measures come as the potential for drought increases, now affecting 19 regions in Central Java.
“Be alert to drought occurring at the peak of the dry season. Currently, 19 regions have been affected,” said Risca Maulida, a forecaster at the BMKG Ahmad Yani Meteorological Station in Semarang.
Risca explained that the number of drought-affected regions has continued to grow since June, rising from 16 to 19. The affected areas include Batang, Kendal, Semarang City, Semarang Regency, Demak, Purworejo, Jepara, Kudus, Pati, Rembang, Blora, Grobogan, Klaten, Surakarta City, Sukoharjo, Wonogiri, Sragen, as well as Magelang City and Regency.
In Semarang City, the Environment Agency (DLH) is paying special attention to the potential for fires at the Jatibarang Final Disposal Site (TPA). Glory Nasarani, Head of the Semarang City DLH, said the agency has intensified watering to once every two days, particularly in zones 1 and 2, to prevent fires from breaking out.
Meanwhile, in Pekalongan Regency, Acting Regent Sukirman led a Disaster Preparedness Rally Facing Potential Disasters on Tuesday (21 July). He ensured the readiness of personnel and cross-sector facilities and infrastructure to face the threat of drought and forest fires.
“I ask residents to increase their vigilance against dry season disasters,” Sukirman asserted. He also urged residents to conserve clean water. The Pekalongan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has begun distributing clean water assistance to a number of areas affected by water shortages.
The impact of the dry season is also being felt in the agricultural sector. Farmers in the northern coastal (Pantura) region, such as in Demak, Pati, Grobogan, and Blora, have begun switching to cultivating secondary crops on rainfed land to avoid the risk of harvest failure and to reduce high production costs caused by irrigation difficulties.
“Because water is starting to run short and the risk is high, we are switching to secondary crops that do not require too much water, such as peanuts, maize, and soybeans,” said Ngatain, a farmer in Tambakromo, Pati Regency.
Farmers in Mijen, Demak Regency, are doing the same. Sugiri, one of the local farmers, said they had anticipated the dry season by planting watermelons, melons, and cantaloupes. Most of them have even entered the harvest season, thereby avoiding financial losses due to the drought.