West Java Declares Drought Emergency Alert Status

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that the West Java Provincial Government has officially declared a drought emergency alert status to anticipate the expanding impact of clean water crises and forest and land fires. Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, stated in Jakarta on Thursday that the emergency alert status declaration serves as a legal foundation for fulfilling emergency logistics needs in the region. Abdul explained that the validity period of the emergency alert status at the provincial level is effective from 1 July 2026. This swift action taken by the West Java Provincial Government also responds to a wave of daily drought disaster reports beginning to affect several regency areas. According to Abdul, based on rapid assessment reports from field teams, drought events at the start of this dry season have already impacted the administrative area of Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java. The impact of declining water source volumes, which has resulted in a domestic-scale clean water crisis, is reported to be centred in the residential area of Pedangkamulyan Village, Bojonggambir District, Tasikmalaya Regency. The BNPB Operations Control Centre recorded that at least 850 families in Pedangkamulyan Village have been directly affected and are struggling to access clean water for their daily needs. Responding to the drought impact that is beginning to trouble residents, Abdul revealed that the Tasikmalaya Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has immediately deployed a rapid reaction team to the field. According to him, BPBD Tasikmalaya rapid reaction team officers have been periodically distributing clean water supplies directly to the affected communities since Wednesday (1/7) to ensure their basic needs are met.