Gunungkidul's Water Dropping Budget Only Sufficient Until September

The Gunungkidul Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has budgeted hundreds of millions of rupiah, equivalent to hundreds of tanks of clean water, for its water dropping programme this year. However, the allocation is predicted to last only until September 2026.

Head of BPBD Gunungkidul, Purwono, stated that this year’s water dropping budget amounts to Rp 346 million, an increase from last year’s Rp 300 million. “The Rp 346 million is equivalent to 800 tanks of clean water,” he said when contacted by detikJogja on Thursday (30/7/2026).

Purwono added that BPBD has already distributed water to the sub-districts of Rongkop, Tepus, Wonosari, Panggang, and Saptosari, meaning the initial allocation of 800 tanks has been reduced. “As of today, 160 tanks of clean water have been distributed from the 800-tank allocation,” he said.

However, Purwono revealed that the budget is likely to last only another two months, given BPBD’s limited funding. “It is estimated (the water dropping budget will last) until mid-September,” he stated.

Regarding the steps BPBD Gunungkidul will take once the water dropping budget is exhausted, Purwono confirmed that preparations have been made. The agency plans to access the regional unexpected expenditure fund (BTT). “So, before the budget runs out, we will prepare a proposal for BTT funds for water dropping,” he said.

Purwono explained that communities genuinely in need of clean water can submit a request for water dropping to BPBD Gunungkidul. A village head can submit a written request to the Head of BPBD Gunungkidul. “The request letter should contain details of the needs, location, number of affected families, and number of affected individuals. The letter must also be acknowledged by the sub-district head,” he said.

The request letter can initially be submitted via WhatsApp or telephone to BPBD Gunungkidul at the number 0274-394091. Once the request is received, BPBD officers will conduct an assessment at the drought-affected location. “The assessment results are then reported to the Head of BPBD. If the report is verified as valid, the water dropping process will proceed immediately,” he concluded.