El Niño Phenomenon Looms, Cimahi City BPBD Maps Areas Vulnerable to Clean Water Crisis

West Bandung – The threat of drought disasters is being anticipated as the extreme dry season approaches due to the El Niño phenomenon, as predicted by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Cimahi City, West Java, has already mapped areas at high risk of water difficulties.

Head of BPBD Cimahi City, Fitriandy Kurniawan, revealed that out of a total of 312 RW spread across 15 urban villages in Cimahi City, more than half are vulnerable to clean water shortages during the dry season based on previous experiences. “Based on the vulnerability map and experiences from previous dry seasons, out of 312 RW, around 270 RW have reports of drought and clean water difficulties. So the category is indeed high,” he stated when contacted on Sunday (19/4/2026).

BPBD Cimahi City has prepared a scheme to address the threat of clean water crises in several of those areas. If reports emerge, they will collaborate with the Housing and Settlement Area Service (DPKP) of Cimahi City and Perumda Tirta Raharja to supply clean water.

“There will be operations according to conditions, for example, if there are reports of clean water shortages, we will coordinate with relevant parties such as DPKP to supply clean water,” said Fitriandy.

BPBD Cimahi City has also prepared a scheme to anticipate the threat of land, forest, and settlement fires. For forest and land fires, Fitriandy said, they have mapped the vulnerability levels, which are in the southern area such as Cireundeu and the northern area in Cipageran and surroundings.

“The category is medium. Looking at the previous dry season, incidents of grass fires were the majority,” stated Fitriandy.

Anticipation for fires in settlements has also been prepared by BPBD Cimahi City. Especially since most settlements in Cimahi City are in densely populated areas. They naturally always coordinate with the Cimahi City Fire Department. BPBD Cimahi City also coordinates with BMKG to obtain weather forecasts.

“Based on the latest information we received, the dry season will be shorter and end more quickly,” said Fitriandy.

Previously, BMKG predicted that the 2026 dry season in West Java would arrive earlier with below-normal rainfall, thereby increasing the potential for drought in various regions, including West Bandung.