Wells Run Dry, Several Areas in Banyuwangi Struggle to Access Clean Water

Residents’ wells in Bangorejo Sub-district, Banyuwangi Regency, have seen their output decline until running dry. The situation has left locals struggling to obtain clean water.

According to a report from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of East Java, drought and water shortages have affected several sub-districts in Banyuwangi for the past three months, including Bangorejo.

“We are coordinating with the PMI of Banyuwangi Regency to move quickly in distributing clean water assistance to affected communities,” said the Chairman of PMI East Java, Imam Utomo, in Surabaya on Friday (24/7).

The distribution of clean water began on 22 July 2026 in Kedungrejo Hamlet, Sambirejo Village, Bangorejo Sub-district. The following day, Thursday (23/7/2026), assistance was again channelled to Kedungrejo Hamlet, Sambimulyo Village, following a request from the village head relayed through the Chairman of PMI Bangorejo Sub-district.

The Head of Sambimulyo Village, Andik Santoso, reported to PMI East Java that his area had seen no rainfall for around three months. As a result, the output of residents’ wells has continued to decline, and some have dried up completely, making it difficult for the community to obtain clean water for their daily needs.

“Moreover, there are currently students from Airlangga University carrying out their community service programme (KKN) in our village. The clean water assistance from PMI Banyuwangi Regency has been a great help to the community in meeting their daily needs. The water is being stored in tanks prepared by the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Banyuwangi Regency,” he said.

The Head of the PMI Banyuwangi Regency Base, Sutiyono, explained that his team had coordinated with BPBD and the Banyuwangi Regional Drinking Water Enterprise (PUDAM) to anticipate requests for assistance from areas beginning to experience drought, including Bangorejo and Cluring Sub-districts.

PMI Banyuwangi Regency has formed a Clean Water Distribution Team comprising volunteers and base staff. The team is supported by one tanker truck with a capacity of 5,000 litres, ready to distribute clean water to affected areas.

According to Sutiyono, the distribution of assistance is an emergency measure to ensure that communities’ basic needs continue to be met during the dry season. “If a village does not yet have water storage tanks, PMI is ready to deliver clean water directly to the homes of residents in need,” he said.