KDM Reveals Several West Java Regions Beginning to be Affected by Drought

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi revealed that the dry season is beginning to cause drought in a number of regions in West Java. He stated that one of the contributing factors making the drought more severe is the poor condition of irrigation infrastructure. “Yes, drought is actually a factor of irrigation infrastructure. So the budget allocation for irrigation must continue to be increased,” he said on Thursday (30/7/2026). The governor, familiarly known as KDM, said that authority over irrigation infrastructure does not rest solely with the West Java Provincial Government, but also with the BBWS and Perum Jasa Tirta, and that the budget at the BBWS has decreased. KDM mentioned that clean water supplies have been prepared for the regions and are being monitored by regents and mayors. Meanwhile, for agriculture, if irrigation is problematic, pump machines will be used. “From the agricultural side, it is now the last harvest. So in August, I am a farmer, I am harvesting now. It is starting to harvest now, later in August, but in September and October it is usually empty. We plant again later in October, November, December,” said the former Purwakarta regent. He mentioned several affected areas that are beginning to experience drought, such as Indramayu, parts of Subang, and Karawang. He suspects the problem is due to irrigation systems that are not functioning or are poorly maintained.