Drought Affects 16,258 Residents Across Six Regions in Central Java

The dry season in Central Java has resulted in 16,258 people (4,808 families) across six regions beginning to suffer from drought and a shortage of clean water. In response to the drought now being felt by residents, the Central Java Provincial Government, through the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), has started distributing clean water aid, with 654,000 litres already delivered to affected villages. “We are forced to buy clean water through communal efforts to meet our consumption needs, because the well water has dried up,” said Sukamto, a resident of Cepogo Village, Kembang District, Jepara Regency. A similar situation was expressed by Asidah, a resident of Gemuruh Village, Banjarnegara, who is also beginning to feel the impact of the dry season through a lack of clean water. She buys clean water from various travelling vendors. “Every day I have to buy water for cooking and drinking, spending up to Rp16,000. The well is dry and the river is murky,” she added. Head of Central Java BPBD, Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, confirmed that drought is beginning to affect dozens of villages. According to Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, clean water aid has been distributed, with Klaten Regency receiving the largest distribution of 553,000 litres, followed by Purbalingga with 30,000 litres, Banjarnegara 26,000 litres, Cilacap 20,000 litres, Jepara 20,000 litres, and Purworejo 5,000 litres. Bergas noted that the drought in Central Java is not limited to six regencies. Other areas, namely Sukoharjo, Demak, Temanggung, Brebes, Kendal, Sragen, Tegal City, and Salatiga City, have declared alert status due to the prolonged dry season. The threat of drought in Central Java also extends to 18 areas, including Demak, Kudus, Pati, Rembang, Blora, Grobogan, Sragen, Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, Boyolali, Semarang Regency, Cilacap, Purbalingga, Purworejo, Klaten, Jepara, and Banjarnegara. “We are ensuring that clean water distribution services will continue to run optimally amidst the issue of rising fuel prices, especially since the dry season is expected to last until September,” said Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan.