Indonesia: Drought hits hundreds of Central Java villages

Ganug Nugroho Adi The Jakarta Post 23 Jul 18;


A drought has struck hundreds of villages in Central Java, with agencies in the province sending clean water to subdistricts in Sragen, Boyolali, Klaten and Wonogiri regencies.

The Sragen Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has allocated Rp 44.5 million (US$3,000), equal to 150 water tankers, to provide water to seven high-risk drought districts, namely Tangen, Mondokan, Sumberlawang, Jenar, Miri, Sukodono and Gesi.

“Agency data shows there are 28 villages affected by this drought, which is similar to last year. We have already provided clean drinking water to three villages that are in urgent need,” BPBD Sragen head Sugeng Priyono said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Boyolali BPBD reported that 41 villages in six districts – Wonosegoro, Karanggede, Kemusu, Musuk, Juwangi and Andong – were vulnerable to drought. Several villages have already asked for clean water and the agency has responded with aid.

“We’ve sent water tankers to Juwangi, Musuk and Kemusu because they were the most urgent,” said Boyolali BPBD head Bambang Sinungharjo.

Running out: A resident pumps out the remaining water from Gajah Mungkur dam to water his rice paddy in Wuryanto district in Wonogiri, Central Java, on Saturday. The dry season has brought drought to many regencies in Central Java. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi.
Running out: A resident pumps out the remaining water from Gajah Mungkur dam to water his rice paddy in Wuryanto district in Wonogiri, Central Java, on Saturday. The dry season has brought drought to many regencies in Central Java. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi. (The Jakarta Post/Ganug Nugroho Adi)

The Wonogiri BPBD reported that 38 out of 294 villages in the regency were suffering from drought, with a total of 25 districts prone to drought and 12 other districts susceptible to fire.

“The BPBD is ready for the effects of the dry season. Our priorities are providing clean drinking water and irrigation water, as well as tackling house, plantation and forest fires,” said Wonogiri BPBD head Bambang Haryanto.

The dry season in Wonogiri began in April and is predicted to last until September.

Meanwhile, Wonogiri Regent Joko “Jekek” Sutopo announced that his administration received a total of Rp 12 billion in funds from the central government to permanently eradicate drought.

Last year, the regency spent Rp 2,6 billion on a water treatment plant in Paranggupito district that provides clean water to some 554 families composed of 1,300 individuals.

The province is hit by drought annually. Thousands of villages in the province suffered from a water shortage in 2017. (nor)