Tasikmalaya Regency Declares Drought and Forest Fire Emergency

The Tasikmalaya Regency Government in West Java has declared a state of emergency for drought and forest and land fires (karhutla) after three months without rainfall. The emergency status is in effect until 30 September 2026, as the long dry season is predicted to be drier than usual.

Regent Cecep Nurul Yakin stated the decision was based on a forecast from the West Java Climatology Station and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicating a prolonged dry season. The peak of the drought is expected between August and 30 September 2026, and the public has been urged to remain vigilant.

“Prevention and mitigation efforts for the impacts of drought and forest and land fires will see the local government mobilise available resources, including human resources, facilities, and infrastructure. The public is also asked to conserve clean water, use water sparingly, and prioritise water for essential needs,” said Cecep Nurul Yakin on Tuesday (14/7/2026).

Cecep explained that the primary goal of establishing the emergency status is to provide faster and more precise handling to minimise the disaster’s impact. The dry season can lead to a clean water crisis and cause agricultural land to experience crop failure (puso) and planting failure.

“Based on a disaster risk assessment, the prolonged dry season impacts drought and forest and land fires across all 39 sub-districts, covering 351 villages, due to the El Niño phenomenon and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Preparedness is a form of economic control that will be affected by the drought,” he said.

The emergency status is formalised in a Tasikmalaya Regent’s decree declaring a state of emergency for drought and forest and land fires in West Java Province for 2026. The current drought is expected to impact clean water supplies and cause agricultural land to suffer harvest and planting failures.

“Based on a report from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), clean water shortages have occurred in Cijulang Village, Cineam Sub-district; Kertanegla Village and Pedangkamulyan Village, Bojonggambir Sub-district; Puteran Village, Pageurageung Sub-district; Kujang Village, Karangnunggal Sub-district; Kalapagenap Village, Cikalong Sub-district; and villages in Bojongasih, Singaparna, and Mangunreja Sub-districts,” he concluded.