Drought Mitigation in Central Java: 18 Vulnerable Regions and Emergency Alert Status
Drought is beginning to affect a number of regions in Central Java with the arrival of the dry season. Based on monitoring on Tuesday (30/6/2026), the impact of clean water shortages is being felt by residents, prompting local and provincial governments to undertake serious mitigation measures, including preparing hundreds of millions of litres of clean water and constructing new water sources.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded that at least three regencies—Klaten, Boyolali, and Pemalang—have been affected by drought. As an initial response, hundreds of thousands of litres of clean water have been distributed to meet the daily needs of residents in these areas.
The Central Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has mapped at least 18 areas classified as drought-prone during this year’s dry season. As of June 2026, eight regions have established a drought emergency alert status: Sukoharjo, Demak, Temanggung, Brebes, Kendal, Sragen, Tegal City, and Salatiga City. This number is predicted to increase as the dry season lengthens.
Jepara Regent Witiarso Utomo stated that mitigation is not only carried out through water distribution but also through long-term solutions such as creating new water sources. Through a borehole programme, clean water access has now been channelled to several crucial points. “We have built boreholes in Cepogo Village (Kembang District), as well as Kepuk Village and Banjaran Village (Bangsri District). This is expected to meet the water needs of residents during the dry season,” said Witiarso.
In Blora Regency, the BPBD noted an increase in vulnerable areas. A total of 149 villages/sub-districts across 15 districts have the potential to experience drought, up from 139 villages the previous year. BPBD Blora Secretary Mulyowati confirmed that her agency has prepared tens of thousands of litres of clean water ready for distribution, including for educational facilities such as community schools.
Meanwhile, the Rembang Regency Government, together with the private sector through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, has allocated a budget of Rp275 million for clean water assistance. Rembang BPBD Chief Executive Muhammad Luthfi Hakim stated that this budget readiness is an anticipatory measure, given that 64 villages required similar assistance in 2024.
In Demak Regency, mitigation efforts are strengthened by the deployment of 500 volunteers. Demak BPBD Head Agus Sukiyono explained that cross-sector coordination is continuously being strengthened to accelerate response handling in the field. “We are taking anticipatory steps as early as possible, from mapping to strengthening teams on the ground,” he concluded.