Drought Impact: 12,568 Klaten Residents on Merapi Slopes Rely on Water Aid

The Klaten Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in Central Java has distributed 483 tanks of clean water aid, equivalent to 2,415,000 litres, to drought-affected areas on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Kemalang District as of early this week.

BPBD Klaten also reported four villages experiencing drought in Kemalang District: Tlogowatu Village, Tegalmulyo Village, Kendalsari Village, and Sidorejo Village. The total number of residents affected by the drought is 3,538 households or 11,696 people.

To address the drought areas affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Kemalang District, BPBD Klaten continues to intensify clean water distribution to help residents meet their daily water needs. The distribution of water aid began on 15 June 2026.

“We can report that Tlogowatu Village has received 127 tanks of water for 1,222 households or 3,581 people as of early this week, Tegalmulyo Village 132 tanks for 992 households or 3,435 people, Kendalsari Village 88 tanks for 380 households or 1,397 people, and Sidorejo Village 136 tanks for 944 households or 3,283 people, with a total of 3,538 households or 11,696 beneficiaries,” explained Anjung Darojati, Head of Emergency and Logistics Division, to Media Indonesia on Wednesday (12/8).

Anjung also noted that the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of BBWS Bengawan Solo distributed two tanks of water aid to 90 households or 380 residents of Kendalsari Village. Additionally, the NGO Tanah Air Lestari distributed two tanks to 45 households or 180 residents of Kendalsari Village, and three tanks to 92 households or 312 people in Tlogowatu Village.

“Thus, the total distribution of clean water aid to the four drought-affected villages on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Kemalang District has reached 490 tanks, equivalent to 2,447,000 litres, with a total of 3,765 households or 12,568 beneficiaries,” said Anjung Darojati.