Hundreds of Jember Residents Face Clean Water Shortage, PMI East Java Distributes Aid

As many as 66 families, comprising 158 individuals, in Dusun Bunder, Sumber Pinang Village, Pakusari District, Jember Regency, are facing a shortage of clean water due to the ongoing dry season. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) East Java has dispatched a 5,000-litre capacity water tanker to distribute clean water to the drought-stricken area. PMI Jember has been distributing water every two days since early July 2026, filling six water tanks placed within the community. Edi Purwinarto, Head of Disaster Management at PMI East Java, stated that the El Niño phenomenon has prolonged the dry season, increasing the potential for drought across various regions in East Java. He noted that the dry season is expected to peak between August and October and could extend into early 2027. Of the 38 districts and cities in East Java, 29 are at risk of drought, though only 11 have declared a state of emergency and six are actively distributing clean water. Narto, Head of Disaster Management at PMI Jember, confirmed that 30,000 litres of water have been distributed so far, sourced from Perumdam Tirta Pendalungan Jember, which is providing the water free of charge. A local resident, Jayuk, expressed gratitude, saying the water supply meets daily needs for drinking, cooking, and ablutions, although bathing still requires a trip to a distant river as local water sources are no longer usable.