NTT Flood Victims Lack Clean Water, Here's the Latest Situation

Clean water needs have emerged as another problem following the disaster that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Damage to water infrastructure has disrupted supply for residents and evacuees.

The situation is even more severe in areas where economic activity has also ground to a halt due to damage to buildings and road access. One of the areas experiencing severe conditions is Nagekeo, including the town of Mbay.

“Water is a serious problem. All SPAM (drinking water supply systems) are damaged, and all evacuees are complaining about the lack of clean water,” said Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo at the DPR Building on Thursday (20/8/2026).

Permanent restoration of water infrastructure cannot be carried out immediately across all locations. The extent of disaster damage still needs to be mapped, while the community’s needs must be met every day. For the time being, the government is using water tanker fleets as a quick solution. Water is being distributed to main points that can still be used to meet evacuees’ needs.

“So for the time being, for the time being… because the damage is very… like Nagekeo, in Nagekeo there are almost no shops open, everything is closed. Because the town itself, the capital Mbay, has been almost entirely affected,” he said.

Limited activity in affected areas has made meeting basic needs even more difficult. Residents in Nagekeo have even had to travel to other areas to obtain daily necessities.

The government is also beginning to consider sanitation needs at evacuation sites. Support in the form of mobile toilet units is being prepared so that the clean water problem does not develop into an environmental health issue.

“So if drilling and everything is needed, perhaps not for the time being. For now we are using water tankers, channelling water into main hydrants that can supply, just like that for the time being,” said the Public Works Minister.

In addition to water distribution, sanitation management is a follow-up task that must be pursued immediately. Evacuation conditions mean basic facilities cannot wait until the entire water network is restored.

“Later we will think about how sanitation can be served. For now I see there are no mobile toilets or anything yet, but we are pushing for this, the mobile fleet will be dispatched soon,” he said.