Cirebon Prepares for Hydrometeorological Disasters as Drought Affects Thousands

The impact of the dry season is increasingly being felt by residents of Cirebon City, West Java. The region is now preparing for hydrometeorological disasters in 2026. Cirebon Mayor Effendi Edo stated that future drought management must be directed towards more anticipatory measures. According to him, water supply availability must be prepared before the community reaches a critical condition. Based on a release from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), August 2026 is the peak of the dry season. As of 4 August 2026, drought has affected three community units (RW) in Argasunya Sub-district, Cirebon City, causing 1,004 families or approximately 3,271 individuals to experience difficulty obtaining clean water. To assist the affected community, the Cirebon City Government, through the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Regional Water Company (PDAM), and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), has distributed 45,000 litres of clean water. “When drought occurs and people start having difficulty getting water, we certainly must be present. But going forward, what is more important is how we prepare the water supply from the beginning, before conditions become critical,” Edo said during the 2026 City-Level Hydrometeorological Disaster Preparedness Assembly at Grage City Hub on Tuesday (11/8/2026). According to Edo, climate change has had an increasingly tangible impact on the people of Cirebon City. This condition is marked by the rising number of hydrometeorological disasters in recent years. Edo noted that disaster data shows an increase, with 156 incidents recorded in 2025, including fallen trees, building collapses, extreme weather, floods, landslides, and land fires. This figure is nearly double the 88 incidents recorded in 2020. He added that in January 2026, flooding caused embankment damage and submerged five sub-districts across three districts, affecting more than 4,000 people. Meanwhile, five flood events were recorded in Cirebon City during the first half of 2026. To anticipate these potential threats, the Cirebon City Government has declared a disaster alert status for 2025–2026. Various mitigation measures continue to be implemented, including physical infrastructure development and strengthening community preparedness. “Climate change is no longer something we just talk about as a future problem. Its impacts are already being felt and faced together. Therefore, preparedness must become a habit, not just something done after a disaster occurs,” said Edo.