Prediction of Prolonged Dry Season, 410,000 Households in East Java Threatened by Drought

A prolonged dry season is predicted to strike East Java Province this year. It is estimated that more than 410,000 households will be affected by drought. This information comes from a mapping of drought impacts and clean water crises by the East Java Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). Based on BPBD estimates, the areas threatened by drought cover 222 sub-districts and 815 villages in 26 regencies in East Java. A total of 410,514 households will be impacted. The Head of the BPBD East Java Implementation Unit, Gatot Soebroto, stated that Madura Island is the most vulnerable area. Sampang Regency records the largest potential impact with 109,446 households in 14 sub-districts, followed by Pamekasan with 63,171 households. “Bojonegoro has 36,585 affected households in 11 sub-districts and 89 villages, while Bangkalan reaches 36,950 households in 10 sub-districts and 59 villages,” Gatot said when contacted on Friday (3/4). Gatot explained that short-term measures currently being taken include massive clean water distribution and the provision of water tanks at critical points. One of them is Tuban Regency, which has been reported to start experiencing drought earlier than other areas. “Currently, it is still being handled by the regency BPBD if dropping is needed, as is happening in Tuban,” he said. In addition to the water crisis, BPBD East Java is also preparing personnel to anticipate the potential for forest and land fires (karhutla) that often accompany prolonged dry seasons. BPBD East Java ensures it will fully support logistical needs at the regional level. If emergency budgets at the regency/city level start to dwindle, the East Java Provincial Government is ready to provide additional assistance through unforeseen funds. “We provide support if the regency does not have a budget or if the budget has thinned. Adjusted to their needs in submitting, and we will submit to the governor according to those needs,” Gatot said.