BNPB: Two districts in Central Java begin to experience drought

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has stated that two administrative areas in Central Java Province, namely Banyumas Regency and Purbalingga Regency, have begun to be hit by drought following the onset of the early dry season in mid-June.

Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre Abdul Muhari in Jakarta on Saturday said that the Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) in both districts had moved quickly to distribute clean water supply assistance to affected residents.

“Entering this early dry season, the local BPBD ranks continue to carry out intensive monitoring and coordinate with the central government to ensure that the fulfilment of the community’s basic clean water needs can be met evenly,” he said.

Abdul explained that in the Banyumas Regency area, the clean water crisis has hit residents in Sokanegara Village, East Purwokerto District, with an affected population reaching 523 families, as well as Taman Sari Village in Karanglewas District, totalling 44 families. Currently, in the Banyumas area, a 4,000-litre water storage tank has been placed on standby at three strategic locations based on the results of a field assessment as of Friday (19/6).

Meanwhile, the drought in Purbalingga Regency has struck the hilly area of Karangreja District, specifically in Kutabawa Village and Serang Village, causing at least 102 families, equivalent to 398 people, to have difficulty obtaining clean water. Responding to the emergency in Purbalingga, the local BPBD has distributed initial logistical aid consisting of two tanker trucks, equivalent to 10,000 litres of clean water, specifically to supply the domestic needs of residents in Gunung Malang Hamlet.

“BPBD in each region continues to monitor the development of drought conditions in affected areas and coordinate with all relevant parties to ensure the basic needs of the community can be met,” said Abdul.