Drought expands to 15 villages across nine sub-districts in Cilacap
The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Cilacap Regency, Central Java, has stated that the impact of drought due to the dry season in the region has expanded to 15 villages spread across nine sub-districts as of mid-July 2026.
Head of BPBD Cilacap Regency Taryo in Cilacap on Friday said that as of 16 July 2026, a total of 74 tanks or 390,000 litres of clean water had been prepared for 4,071 households or 14,267 individuals, while anticipating an increase in affected areas ahead of the peak dry season.
“As of yesterday, 15 villages across nine sub-districts had submitted requests for clean water assistance. To date, we have dispatched 74 tanks of clean water, or approximately 390,000 litres,” he said.
Of the 15 villages that requested clean water assistance, none are experiencing drought for the first time. Nevertheless, his agency remains vigilant about the possibility of more areas being affected, as the peak of the dry season is expected only in August to September 2026.
“We are closely monitoring the dynamics within the community. The peak of the dry season is estimated for August, possibly even extending into September,” he said.
He further stated that based on BPBD Cilacap data, clean water aid has reached 15 villages in nine sub-districts, namely Klumprit and Kedungbenda Villages in Nusawungu Sub-district, Karangkemiri Village in Jeruklegi Sub-district, Cinangsi, Kertajaya, and Gintungreja Villages in Gandrungmangu Sub-district.
Additionally, Cimrutu, Rawaapu and Sidamukti Villages in Patimuan Sub-district, Ujungalang Village in Kampung Laut Sub-district, Karangbenda Village in Adipala Sub-district, Madura Village in Wanareja Sub-district, Bojong and Kubangkangkung Villages in Kawunganten Sub-district, and Binangun Village in Bantarsari Sub-district.
Of the total 390,000 litres of clean water distributed, 233,000 litres or 50 tanks were sourced from the Cilacap Regency Regional Budget. Meanwhile, 139,000 litres or 24 tanks came from corporate social responsibility programme support, consisting of 105,000 litres or 21 tanks from the Indonesian Red Cross of Cilacap Regency and 24,000 litres or three tanks from Siaga Peduli Cilacap Regency.
Regarding the potential for forest and land fires, Taryo said that to date there have been no reports of large-scale fires in the area. “There have been no reports of major forest and land fires. There have only been small fires, such as the one that occurred around the Congot Public Cemetery. For forest and land fires, alhamdulillah, there have been no reports so far,” he said.
His agency will continue to monitor the development of the dry season and keep personnel and resources on standby to meet the community’s clean water needs and anticipate potential forest and land fires during the peak of the dry season.