Ministry of Public Works Distributes Clean Water Aid and Handles Forest Fires in Kalimantan
The Ministry of Public Works (PU) continues to strengthen its handling of the dry season’s impacts across several regions of Kalimantan. These efforts include meeting the clean water needs of communities affected by drought as well as tackling forest and land fires (karhutla).
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo said the ministry is continuously enhancing its preparedness for potential drought and forest fires through stronger cross-sector coordination and the provision of supporting infrastructure and resources required on the ground.
“The Ministry of Public Works does not only focus on infrastructure development, but also ensures that this infrastructure can be optimally utilised to support disaster management, maintain water availability, protect the environment, and guarantee public safety,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (26/8/2026).
One of the areas affected by drought is Kubu Raya Regency in West Kalimantan Province. The lack of rainfall during the dry season has caused a decline in the availability of clean water sources for residents in Sidomulyo Hamlet, Limbung Village, Sungai Raya District.
The situation has affected approximately 115 households or 230 people. To meet the community’s basic needs, the Ministry of Public Works, through the Kalimantan I Pontianak River Basin Agency (BWS), in cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of West Kalimantan Province, distributed 10,000 litres of clean water or drinking water.
The aid was provided to meet the community’s needs, particularly for drinking, cooking, and other household activities during the ongoing dry conditions.
In addition to drought, the dry season has also increased the potential for forest and land fires in several areas of South Kalimantan.
The Ministry of Public Works, through the Kalimantan III Banjarmasin River Basin Agency, has been involved in tackling forest and land fires at two locations: Jalan Pemajatan, Gambut District, Banjar Regency, and Trans Matang Hanau Village, Lampihong District, Balangan Regency.
The fire on Jalan Pemajatan, Gambut District, Banjar Regency, burned approximately 6 hectares of land. Meanwhile, the fire in Trans Matang Hanau Village, Lampihong District, Balangan Regency, caused around 3 hectares of land to be scorched.
To accelerate the response and prevent the fire from spreading, the Kalimantan III Banjarmasin River Basin Agency deployed Disaster Response Task Force personnel and portable firefighting equipment to the scene.
The response was carried out swiftly to bring the fire under control while minimising the impact on the environment and surrounding communities.
The Ministry of Public Works continues to strengthen coordination with local governments and relevant agencies in dealing with the impacts of the dry season. These measures are taken to ensure that the community’s basic needs remain met while supporting disaster control and mitigation efforts in affected areas.
Through preparedness and cross-sector collaboration, the Ministry of Public Works is committed to providing infrastructure support and resources that can help communities face various challenges arising from extreme weather conditions.