BNPB Reports 4,245 Families in West Lombok Facing Water Crisis After Month Without Rain

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that 4,245 families across five sub-districts in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have been affected by a clean water crisis following a month-long dry spell. Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Communication Centre, stated on Thursday that the drought conditions have triggered a drastic decline in domestic water supplies for residents. “This phenomenon of a month without rain has directly impacted the ability of communities in five sub-districts to meet their daily clean water needs,” he said. The BNPB Operations Control Centre confirmed, based on data from the West Lombok Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) on Tuesday (23/6), that 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 areas in Gerung District, with 500 families in Banyu Urip Village and 718 families in Giri Tembesi Village, as well as 630 families in Kuripan Selatan Village, Kuripan District, and 734 families in Penanggak Preparatory Village, Batulayar District. To anticipate a wider emergency, Abdul confirmed that the West Lombok BPBD has moved quickly to prioritise the deployment of four water tanker trucks, each with a capacity of 5,000 litres, to the affected areas. He added that local disaster management authorities are also strengthening cross-sectoral coordination to bolster the supply of logistical water aid to residential pockets. “The BPBD is coordinating with the West Lombok Fire Service, the Giri Menang Mataram Regional Water Company, and other business sectors to maximise the distribution of clean water through additional water tanker fleets and water supplies,” he said.