Cipamingkis River Dries Up, Residents Cry Out Over Water Shortages
The dry season has triggered a water crisis in Cibarusah and the Cipamingkis River Basin (DAS), Bekasi. Residents are struggling to meet their livestock, agricultural, and household needs.
The drought, which has lasted more than three months, has left the Cibarusah area and the Cipamingkis River Basin in Bekasi Regency facing a water crisis. The situation is making it difficult for residents to meet their daily needs, including for livestock and agriculture.
Drought conditions are also visible along the Cipamingkis River. Water flow has continued to shrink until a dam that was previously fed by strong currents now only leaves behind shallow puddles.
These puddles are still used by residents for various needs, from bathing and washing clothes to cleaning vehicles. However, the shrinking river flow is making access to clean water increasingly limited.
The drought conditions are further exacerbated by an irrigation system that is not yet operating optimally. In addition, changes in land use in the upstream area of the Cipamingkis River Basin are also affecting water availability.
Forest areas in the upper reaches of the river have been converted into fields, settlements, and housing. These changes have caused spring sources to shrink during the dry season.
Land conversion has also affected the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. When rain falls, the reduced catchment areas make it harder for water to be stored as a reserve for the dry season.
These conditions highlight the need for ecosystem restoration measures in the upstream area of the Cipamingkis River Basin. Improving catchment areas and protecting spring sources are important parts of maintaining water availability for the community.
In addition to environmental restoration, water management solutions and improvements to the irrigation system are also urgently needed. These efforts are necessary so that Cibarusah residents do not continue to face water difficulties every time the dry season lasts for an extended period.