Five Villages in Banjarnegara Hit by Drought, BPBD Dispatches Clean Water
The dry season has begun to trigger a clean water crisis in several areas of Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java. As of Wednesday (1/7), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Banjarnegara has distributed clean water aid to residents in five villages suffering from water supply shortages.
Head of BPBD Banjarnegara, Aji Piluroso, stated that the five villages which have received clean water aid are Gemuruh Village and Serang Village in Bawang District, Somawangi Village in Mandiraja District, Duren Village in Pagedongan District, and Kasilib Village in Wanadadi District.
According to Aji, the distribution of clean water to Duren Village and Kasilib Village was carried out on Wednesday afternoon. Previously, BPBD had first channelled aid to Gemuruh Village and Serang Village on Monday (29/6), then to Somawangi Village on Tuesday (30/6).
“As of today, five villages have received clean water aid. Duren Village and Kasilib Village are areas that experience drought almost every year during the dry season,” he said.
He explained that the drought in Gemuruh Village and Serang Village was triggered by a decrease in the water source’s discharge after the Siwuluh irrigation channel embankment collapsed some time ago. This condition disrupted the clean water supply, forcing residents to require water distribution aid.
The BPBD of Banjarnegara continues to monitor the development of the dry season and has instructed all personnel, volunteers, and district officials to report immediately if any areas begin to experience a clean water crisis.
“In accordance with the directive of the Regent of Banjarnegara, we are deploying all available resources, including fleets, personnel, and volunteers, to anticipate the impacts of the drought and accelerate handling in affected areas,” said Aji.
The BPBD estimates that the number of affected villages could still increase as the dry season continues. To anticipate this, the BPBD has placed four water tanker trucks on standby and is strengthening coordination with volunteers and various stakeholders so that aid distribution can reach all affected areas.
Aji added that the distribution of clean water is carried out in rotation according to needs on the ground, so aid is not sent to the same location every day.
In addition to relying on the BPBD’s own fleet, his party also hopes for support from various agencies, businesses, and community groups if the number of areas experiencing drought continues to grow.
To support operations during the dry season, the Banjarnegara Regency Government has added a budget of Rp600 million specifically allocated for clean water distribution operations.
“The most important thing is the adequacy of the operational budget. We hope this budget will be sufficient until the rainy season arrives so that the community’s clean water needs can continue to be met,” said Aji.