BNPB: 4,245 Families in West Lombok Face Water Crisis After a Month Without Rain

A total of 4,245 families across five sub-districts in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, have been affected by a clean water crisis following a month without rain, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, stated in Jakarta on Thursday (25/6) that the drought has triggered disruptions to residents’ water supply. “This phenomenon of a month without rain has directly impacted the community’s ability to meet their daily clean water needs in five sub-districts,” Abdul said. He explained that data from the West Lombok Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) on Tuesday (23/6) showed the affected residents include 1,357 families in Sekotong Barat Village, Sekotong District, and 306 families in Jembatan Gantung Village, Lembar District. The drought has also hit Gerung District, affecting 500 families in Banyu Urip Village and 718 families in Giri Tembesi Village, followed by 630 families in Kuripan Selatan Village, Kuripan District, and 734 families in Penanggak Preparatory Village, Batulayar District. To anticipate the increasingly widespread impact of the drought, Abdul said the West Lombok BPBD is moving quickly to prioritise the deployment of four water tanker trucks, each with a capacity of 5,000 litres, to the affected areas. Cross-sectoral coordination is also being strengthened to monitor water logistics aid to residential pockets, with additional water tanker fleets and clean water supplies currently being arranged.