Drought Dominates Disasters as Dry Season Expands Across Indonesia, BNPB Reports
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded that drought has become the most dominant disaster occurring in various regions during the period of 18-19 July 2026, as the impact of the dry season expands across several parts of Indonesia. In addition to drought, the BNPB also reported forest and land fires (karhutla), a flash flood in West Sumatra, and a social conflict in East Flores.
In its report, the BNPB stated that the drought has affected thousands of residents on the island of Java, from East Java and Central Java to West Java. In Jember Regency, East Java, as many as 870 families in Sumberjeruk Village and Sumberpinang Village experienced difficulties obtaining clean water. The local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) distributed 9,000 litres of clean water on Saturday (18/7). Meanwhile, in Pasuruan Regency, the drought hit three villages with a total of 615 families affected. The BPBD distributed clean water aid to the affected areas using two water tanker trucks.
In Central Java, the drought caused 10,688 residents in Kemalang District, Klaten Regency, to suffer from clean water shortages due to the declining discharge of water sources. Since mid-June until 18 July, the Klaten BPBD has distributed 285 tanks, or approximately 1.43 million litres, of clean water. The impact of the drought in Bogor Regency has also continued to expand, now covering 33 villages across 17 districts, affecting a total of 43,451 people. The West Java Provincial Government has declared a drought emergency status effective from 1 July to 30 September 2026. On Saturday (18/7), the Bogor Regency BPBD distributed at least 40,000 litres of clean water to several villages in the districts of Kemang, Ciampea, Jasinga, Leuwisadeng, and Tenjo.
Beyond drought, the BNPB is also monitoring forest and land fires in several areas. In West Aceh Regency, a land fire covering approximately four hectares broke out on Friday (17/7). By Saturday, a joint team from the local BPBD and fire service had managed to control around 95 per cent of the blaze in Gampong Gunong Kleng, while the fire in Gampong Lapang was still being handled. The agency also noted a flash flood in Nagari Sungai Batang, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, on Saturday evening, which affected 90 families and forced 450 residents to evacuate before waters gradually receded. Additionally, a social conflict in Adonara Timur District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, resulted in three fatalities and seven injuries, with 20 houses, one business building, and one motorcycle damaged.
Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Centre, urged the public to heighten preparedness for the dry season. He advised residents to fill water reserves while supplies are still available, use water wisely, repair any leaking pipes, and reuse water that is still fit for purpose. He also reminded communities to remain vigilant against other potential disasters, including earthquakes, by preparing emergency disaster kits and monitoring official information from the BNPB, BPBD, and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).