Gunungkidul BPBD maps drought potential ahead of dry season

The Gunungkidul Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has mapped drought potential in the area as part of mitigation and preparedness efforts ahead of the dry season. Gunungkidul BPBD Chief Executive Purwono stated on Thursday that the drought trend in the region typically begins in the southern zone because the soil contour is less capable of retaining water. This trend, he said, is based on observations of drought events in previous years, which often started in the sub-districts of Girisubo, Tepus, Tanjungsari, Panggang, Purwosari, and Saptosari, areas dominated by limestone soil. “The dominant soil characteristic there is limestone, so it dries out very easily, meaning it cannot store water on the surface,” Purwono said. According to him, groundwater in that area lies at a depth of around 80 to 100 metres below the surface, making the southern zone the first to receive clean water distribution assistance from the BPBD. “Our water distribution initially starts from the south, then gradually moves backwards, spreading towards the north; that is the mapping pattern,” he said. He noted that the impact of drought can also disrupt agricultural productivity on surrounding lands. Nevertheless, Purwono assessed that farmers in the region already have their own mitigation methods for dealing with the drought, which occurs almost every year. He believes the community has been living in harmony with nature for many years. One form of mitigation practised by farmers is planting crops that are more resistant to the minimal water availability during the dry season, such as tubers and cassava. Purwono added that the natural conditions in the area are indeed more suitable for hardy crops like cassava. Furthermore, the community in the area has also adjusted the cassava harvest season to the weather conditions. This step is taken by local farmers to maximise the drying process of their harvest. “So when the sun is good, the quality of the dried cassava will be good,” Purwono said.