Legislator urges DKI Provincial Government to ensure availability of clean water and food

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chair of Commission D of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Yuke Yurike, has urged the DKI Provincial Government to maintain the availability of clean water and food in anticipation of a strong El Niño phenomenon that could trigger prolonged drought.

“Beyond the existing environmental issues, we are also facing the threat of natural factors, namely an extreme El Niño. This must be anticipated collectively, as our challenges are not only fiscal but also environmental conditions,” said Yuke in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to her, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts the potential occurrence of Godzilla El Niño in mid-2026.

Therefore, anticipatory steps must be taken by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government by urging the public to start conserving water usage and essential needs, as well as increasing awareness of household food resilience, since public readiness is key to facing the uncertainty of the phenomenon’s duration.

“We hope the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has prepared strategic steps, including ensuring food stocks remain secure. Additionally, the importance of cooperation with other regions in maintaining supplies of essential needs for the public,” she stated.

The DPRD DKI member from the South Jakarta electoral district encouraged environmental mitigation efforts such as biopore creation, infiltration wells, and optimisation of green open spaces to store water.

“Tree planting is also important to help preserve groundwater reserves during the dry season,” she said.

Referring to BMKG’s predictions, Yuke noted that before the El Niño peak, extreme weather potential could still occur. Therefore, cross-agency coordination is deemed crucial.

She also warned of the increased risk of fires during the dry season. For this reason, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Fire and Rescue Agency (Gulkarmat) are urged to enhance readiness, including possible additional steps such as weather modification if necessary.

“The most important thing is the preparedness of all parties, both government and the public, so that the impacts of this prolonged drought can be minimised,” she stated.