Cirebon Regency Government Declares Drought Emergency Alert
The Cirebon Regency Government has declared a drought emergency alert. Risk mapping and action plans for drought management during the dry season are currently being implemented.
Based on gathered information, the drought emergency alert status has been set from 1 July to 30 September 2026. “The determination of this status refers to the West Java Governor’s decree and serves as a reference for the local government to manage drought during this year’s dry season,” said Samsul on Sunday (5/7).
Currently, the Cirebon Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has mapped several areas prone to drought, ranging from clean water crises to forest and land fires (Karhutla). According to BPBD records from 2019, 57 villages across 21 districts were affected by drought during the dry season.
He explained that in 2020 and 2022, no villages were recorded as being affected by drought. However, in 2023, drought impacted 38 villages across 21 districts. Subsequently, in 2024, drought affected 19 villages in 6 districts, while no drought-affected villages were recorded throughout 2025.
Districts that have historically been prone to drought disasters are spread across Gempol, Mundu, Sedong, Greged, Beber, Gunungjati, Kapetakan, Suranenggala, Klangenan, Panguragan, Waled, Karangsembung, Gegesik, and Tengah Tani. “We have prepared various scenarios to handle the impacts of drought during this year’s dry season,” said Samsul.
The Cirebon Regency Government is preparing water tanker fleets for clean water distribution and activating an emergency drought command post for the duration of the alert period. “In addition to emergency handling, we are also strengthening long-term efforts through the development of clean water sources,” added Samsul.
The borehole programme, implemented in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), has reached at least five villages. Walahar and Cupang villages in Gempol District, Beber village in Beber District, as well as Kamarang and Greged villages in Greged District, are the areas that have received assistance for borehole construction.
At the same time, Samsul also revealed that community education is being conducted. This includes asking the public to conserve clean water and undertake efforts to prevent forest and land fires. “We are also conducting education and socialisation regarding the mechanism for reporting emergency conditions through social media and community WhatsApp groups,” said Samsul.
Samsul stated that drought management requires cooperation from many parties. The Cirebon Regency BPBD also hopes that the availability of clean water for the community can be maintained, while the potential losses due to drought and forest and land fires can be minimised before the peak of the dry season is reached.