Drought in Sumedang Expands, Dozens of Families in Cimalaka Face Clean Water Crisis

The drought impacting Sumedang Regency, West Java, continues to spread, with the clean water crisis now reaching residents in Cimalaka District. According to the latest data as of 15 July 2026, dozens of families in Cimalaka are relying on external aid as their water sources dry up.

As a rapid response, the Sumedang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) have deployed water tankers to distribute clean water to the affected areas. Head of BPBD Sumedang, Bambang Rianto, stated that the distribution is part of the drought emergency response status.

“In this initial phase, we have distributed 5,000 litres of clean water. This is an emergency measure to assist the residents,” he said. Bambang added that his team is conducting intensive monitoring and coordinating with the local water utility, Perumda Air Minum, to ensure the community’s basic needs are met.

The Sumedang Regency Government has also issued an appeal urging residents to use water wisely. The public has been asked to prioritise clean water for essential needs such as drinking and cooking to conserve supplies during the prolonged dry season. BPBD personnel and tanker fleets remain on standby to anticipate further requests for water assistance from other villages predicted to be affected by the drought.