Half a Million People in West Java Affected by Drought and Clean Water Shortages

The West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that 175 sub-districts across 387 villages or urban wards were affected by drought as of 18 August 2026. Communities are experiencing shortages of clean water, including for the agricultural sector.

“The drought has affected 160,862 households, or approximately 519,687 people,” said Hadi Rahmat, Public Relations Expert at BPBD West Java, on Thursday (20/8/2026).

He said his agency and related parties have distributed 12,121,000 litres of clean water to meet community needs. Hadi said Bogor Regency is the area with the largest affected population, with 180,247 people from 55,958 households spread across 123 villages or urban wards and 30 sub-districts.

“The area has received 1,743,500 litres of clean water distribution,” he said.

Bekasi Regency ranks second with 61,886 affected people from 20,187 households. The drought impact was recorded in 32 villages or urban wards and 11 sub-districts.

“Clean water distribution reached 5,322,800 litres, making it the largest water distribution in West Java,” he said.

Purwakarta Regency is in third place with 39,409 affected people from 12,885 households. The drought has hit 24 villages or urban wards in 12 sub-districts, with clean water distribution totalling 396,500 litres.