Yogyakarta BPBD requests borehole wells in drought-hit areas from BNPB

The Yogyakarta Special Region Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD DIY) has submitted a request for assistance to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to construct borehole wells in drought-affected areas ahead of the 2026 dry season.

“We have also written to BNPB to request assistance for the construction of borehole wells in areas where the locations are indeed feasible,” said Agustinus Ruruh Haryata, Head of BPBD DIY, in Yogyakarta on Monday.

According to him, the selection of borehole well locations has been coordinated with the Centre for Research and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG), which has expertise in investigating underground water availability as a water source.

“We have already worked with BPPTKG and the Geological Agency, whose geoelectric surveys confirm that these sites are suitable for extracting deep groundwater using borehole wells. We have identified several points,” he said.

He stated that at least four locations have been deemed feasible for borehole well construction as a measure to anticipate drought. These sites are located in Gunung Kidul Regency and Bantul Regency.

Gunung Kidul is a particular focus for the government because of its higher drought potential during the dry season, including areas such as Rongkop, Gedangsari, Panggang and Tepus.

“These are sub-districts with quite high drought potential. However, many parts of Gunung Kidul are also helped by raising water sourced from underground rivers,” he said.

BPBD DIY hopes that the borehole well assistance from the central government will provide a long-term solution, rather than merely the temporary measure of distributing clean water by tanker, as has often been done.

“So the hope is that we will not only address the temporary problem, but also provide a sustainable solution going forward,” he said.