Drought on Merapi Slopes, Klaten BPBD Distributes 1.9 Million Litres of Clean Water

A total of 3,467 families, or approximately 11,455 individuals, living on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Kemalang District, Klaten, Central Java, have begun experiencing a clean water crisis due to this year’s dry season. The drought-affected areas are spread across four villages: Kendalsari, Tegalmulyo, Tlogowatu, and Sidorejo.

To address the crisis, the Klaten Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has been routinely distributing clean water daily. This aid programme was officially launched by the Klaten Regent, Hamenang Wajar Ismoyo, on 15 June 2026.

Anjung Darojati, Head of Emergency and Logistics at BPBD Klaten, explained that as of Tuesday (28/7), the agency had distributed a total of 384 water tanks, equivalent to 1,920,000 litres. The aid is focused on meeting the basic needs of thousands of residents in the four affected villages in Kemalang District.

According to BPBD data, the affected residents include 3,778 families (1,389 individuals) in Kendalsari, 959 families (3,275 individuals) in Tegalmulyo, 1,222 families (3,581 individuals) in Tlogowatu, and 908 families (3,210 individuals) in Sidorejo. The variation in the number of families and individuals indicates differing levels of vulnerability across the residential areas on the slopes of Merapi.

“To handle this year’s drought, BPBD Klaten has prepared a total of 1,000 tanks of clean water. The allocated budget reaches Rp500 million, sourced from the 2026 Klaten Regional Budget,” Anjung stated.

The Klaten Regency Government continues to monitor the situation on the ground, as the peak of the dry season is predicted to persist. Residents are urged to use clean water efficiently and to report any new areas experiencing difficulties in accessing clean water.