Drought: Nduga Regency Government declares emergency response status August-December
Wamena (ANTARA) - The Nduga Regency Government in Papua Pegunungan has declared a three-month state of emergency from August to December 2026 in response to the dry season affecting the region.
As a result of the dry season currently affecting Indonesia, particularly Papua Pegunungan, drought and snowfall have occurred in several areas of Nduga Regency since April to August 2026.
Nduga Regent Yoas Beon said in Wamena on Friday that the dry season, which has led to snowfall in several parts of Nduga Regency, has caused drought and crop failure, prompting the local government to declare a state of emergency for the next three months.
“On 26 August 2026, we took swift action by declaring a state of emergency, while also opening an emergency post that will operate for the next three months to anticipate the dry season and snowfall in several areas of Nduga Regency,” he said.
“Specifically for Mumugu village, the prices of staple goods and building materials are currently very high because the river water levels that normally serve as the main transport artery have dried up during the dry season. We are therefore working to open a road from the Nduga Regency capital of Kenyam to Mumugu so that residents there can obtain staple goods and clean water,” he added.
Mumugu village, in Krepkuri District, is the only area in the regency located on the coast and directly borders Asmat Regency in South Papua.
He explained that teams have been divided to handle the dry season in Nduga Regency, working to assist communities with staple food needs, clean water particularly in Kenyam, and the opening of a road from Kenyam to Mumugu.
He has visited the affected locations and provided 10 tonnes of rice to communities in Wutpage and Nenggeagin. “The enthusiasm of the people there has been extraordinary in welcoming the government’s presence to help address this natural event,” he said.
Regent Yoas asked residents in Wutpage and Nenggeagin not to leave their homes to seek refuge in other areas.
“We assure the government’s presence in those places to provide attention and assistance to communities affected by the dry season, so please do not evacuate to other places,” said Nduga Regent Yoas Beon.