BPBD Anticipates Drought Impacts in Kotim's Coastal Areas

Sampit (ANTARA) - The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, is increasing synergy with relevant agencies to anticipate the worst possible impacts of drought in coastal areas. “Drought can cause widespread effects, such as difficulties in accessing clean water and disruptions to agriculture that impact harvests and food security,” said the Head of BPBD Kotim, Multazam, in Sampit on Tuesday. Impacts of drought, such as clean water shortages, are commonly experienced by communities in several villages, such as in the Mentaya Hilir Utara and Mentaya Hilir Selatan sub-districts. Drought, which often triggers clean water shortages in coastal areas, must be anticipated. Especially if the intake or raw water source for clean water becomes brackish due to seawater intrusion, it is feared to affect the clean water supply to coastal areas. Other anticipations are also necessary, namely the possibility that clean water shortages do not only occur in the southern region but also spread to the northern region due to shallow and murky rivers. Even during the previous dry season, seawater intrusion had reached the waters of Pelangsian in Mentawa Baru Ketapang sub-district, which is not far from downtown Sampit. When clean water shortages occur in coastal areas, BPBD deploys owned water tankers to supply clean water to meet residents’ needs. Furthermore, anticipation of drought impacts on agriculture also needs attention. Synergy with the Agriculture and Food Security Office is carried out for early anticipation regarding drought impacts.