Drought in West Java Spreads to 17 Regions, Majalengka Declares Emergency Alert
The clean water crisis due to the dry season in Majalengka Regency, West Java, is reported to be spreading. To date, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Majalengka Regency has distributed at least 15,000 litres of clean water to assist residents in affected areas.
Latest reports indicate the drought has now reached two locations in Kadipaten District, namely Cipaku Village and Heuleut Village. The Kadipaten area had previously been mapped as a region prone to clean water crises during the dry season. In response to the increasingly worrying conditions, the Majalengka Regency Government has officially declared a drought emergency alert status.
The declaration aims to accelerate anticipatory measures against wider impacts, particularly on the agricultural sector and the fulfilment of basic clean water needs for the community. The BPBD is conducting intensive monitoring at vulnerable points to ensure aid distribution is on target.
Regionally, the drought disaster has hit 17 regencies and cities across West Java. According to data from the West Java Provincial BPBD, this water crisis is affecting more than 200,000 residents spread across 95 sub-districts. As an emergency response measure, BPBD units throughout West Java have distributed a total of more than 4 million litres of clean water. Of the affected areas, Bogor Regency is reported to be experiencing the most severe drought with the widest coverage in West Java.
Previously, the Majalengka BPBD had also intensified efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) following a dozen land fire incidents in less than two weeks during the 2026 dry season. The Head of the Majalengka BPBD, Agus Tamim, revealed that based on the latest data, 12 land fires had occurred, affecting a total area of 10.85 hectares. All incidents were recorded within a short period, from 12 to 21 July 2026. “The increase in incidents is the basis for us to intensify education to the public not to carry out activities that could potentially trigger fires,” said Agus Tamim in Majalengka on Thursday (23/7). He stressed the importance of the community’s active role in protecting the surrounding environment. The BPBD urges residents to avoid land clearing by burning, not to discard cigarette butts carelessly in dry vegetation areas, and to immediately report any sighting of even the smallest fire.