Drought in Purbalingga Spreads to 10 Villages, BPBD Distributes Clean Water

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, reported that drought conditions have spread to 10 villages across six sub-districts. The number of affected villages is expected to increase as the dry season continues.

According to Revon Haprindiat, Head of BPBD Purbalingga, the six affected sub-districts are Karangreja, Karanganyar, Pengadegan, Kejobong, Kemangkon, and Rembang. He noted that several springs in the Purbalingga area have experienced a decrease in water discharge, reducing the supply of clean water to local communities.

The water crisis in some areas has been exacerbated by infrastructure damage that has not yet been fully restored. This damage resulted from flash floods and landslides that occurred in January 2026. This situation has particularly impacted residents in Serang Village and Kutabawa Village, where the water network has not returned to normal, forcing BPBD to conduct regular clean water drops.

BPBD is collaborating with the Regional Water Utility Company (Perumdam) Tirta Perwira Purbalingga to address the shortage. Officials confirmed that the water stock from Perumdam is currently sufficient to meet the social assistance needs of the affected communities.

In addition to the water crisis, BPBD Purbalingga has issued an early warning regarding the potential for forest and land fires. The agency highlighted that hiking trail areas are of particular concern due to their high risk and difficult access for firefighting. Residents are strictly prohibited from clearing land by burning or carelessly discarding cigarette butts. Revon Haprindiat emphasized that prevention is the most effective measure to minimize the risk of fires during the dry season, especially in mountainous regions with limited water availability.