Anticipating the Drought Threat

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Residents take clean water assistance from the local government channeled by the Boyolali Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in Kalinanas village, Wonosegoro district, Boyolali, Central Java, Friday (23/8/2019). As many as 5,000 liters of water in a tank was taken out by local residents within 14 minutes. If they are forced to buy, the residents must spend Rp 350,000-Rp 400,000 for a 5,000 liter water tank truck. Boyolali BPBD sends at least 15 tank trucks filled with clean water per day to areas that are experiencing a clean water crisis. According to Boyolali BPBD data, residents in 52 villages in eight districts in Boyolali are currently experiencing a clean water crisis due to drought.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency warned of the potential of drought in the current dry season, which is extremely dry.

Based on an analysis dated August, 20, 2019, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) released an early warning about all zones in Jakarta and Banten seeing a worsened dry season. There are many areas in Banten and Jakarta that have seen no rains for more than 20 days and even more than 60 days. Some areas have a chance of rain, but with very low rainfall.