Bantul Regional Government Begins Mapping Drought-Prone Areas
The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Mujahid Amirudin, stated that his agency is currently mapping drought-prone areas as a precautionary measure against the impacts of the El Nino Godzilla phenomenon. He assessed that updating the previous year’s drought map is necessary because this year’s dry season is predicted to be drier than normal conditions.
BPBD Bantul, according to Mujahid, is also preparing personnel and fleets in case they are needed at any time for distributing clean water to drought-affected areas. “We are preparing personnel, equipment, and shift schedules as anticipatory measures,” he said, as quoted from Antara on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
He revealed that to date, no reports of drought or clean water shortages have been received in Bantul Regency. This is because April still sees rainfall, and the full dry season has not yet arrived.
“Water shortages usually occur in May-June. But we have already made preparations; by June, personnel and fleets will be ready to monitor vulnerable points,” said Mujahid.
The Bantul Regent has also issued a circular regarding anticipation of El Nino impacts and independent evacuation simulations for Disaster Preparedness Day (HKB) as guidelines for stakeholders.
Previously, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman guaranteed that national rice stocks are sufficient amid the potential threat of the El Nino Godzilla phenomenon hitting Indonesia in 2026.
“The stock this morning was 4.7 million tons, and that is the highest since the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Amran in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
The Minister conveyed this while directly inspecting the progress of handling agricultural land affected by disasters in Lubuk Alung Subdistrict, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra.
In addition to the 4.7 million tons in Bulog warehouses, there is also a supply of 12 million tons at mills plus standing crops of around 11 million tons. Cumulatively, this supply is sufficient for the next ten months’ needs. “Drought lasts six months, so it’s safe, right? That’s how we calculate it.”