West Bandung Regency Declares Drought Emergency Alert Until September

The West Bandung Regency Government has declared a state of emergency alert for drought and forest and land fires. This follows the West Java Provincial Government’s similar declaration through Governor’s Decree Number 360/Kep.307-BPBD/2026, effective from 1 July until the end of September 2026.

“Starting from July until the end of September 2026, the regional government has declared a drought emergency alert,” said Duddy Prabowo, Acting Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Bandung Regency, on Thursday (2/7).

Following the declaration, the agency has begun mapping areas with potential drought risks during the 2026 dry season, while also preparing clean water distribution schemes for affected communities. According to Duddy, the mapping of drought-prone areas is based on incidents recorded during dry seasons in recent years. “This data serves as a reference for the government to determine handling priorities should a clean water crisis reoccur,” he stated.

During the 2023 dry season, eight districts experienced drought: Cisarua, Ngamprah, Padalarang, Cipatat, Cipeundeuy, Cikalongwetan, Rongga, and Gununghalu. In 2024, the affected areas included Batujajar, Ngamprah, Padalarang, Cipatat, Cisarua, Cikalongwetan, and Cipeundeuy districts. “These areas are our focus because, based on past experience, they have the potential to experience drought again during this year’s dry season,” he said.

To anticipate the community’s need for clean water, the BPBD has readied dozens of personnel along with a fleet that can be deployed to affected locations. “Twenty personnel are on standby during the emergency alert period, supported by three water tanker trucks that will be used to distribute clean water aid if there are requests from villages or sub-districts,” he explained.