Makassar City Government Sets Drought Disaster Emergency Response Status

Makassar BPBD officers before distributing clean water to people affected by drought due to El Nino in a number of Makassar city areas, Tuesday (12/9/2023). BETWEEN/HO-Makassar City Government

Makassar City Government, South Sulawesi has declared an emergency response status for drought in the area due to the impact of El Nino.

Makassar Mayor Moh Ramdhan Pomanto asked all relevant OPDs, especially the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) who was the coordinator of the disaster management team, to distribute clean water assistance to the community.

"Everyone must go down, work hand in hand to help residents who are in trouble. Not only BPBD, but all of them must go down, the Fire Department and PDAM for clean water distribution," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 12.

Head of Makassar City BPBD Achmad Hendra Hakamuddin said his party had distributed clean water to areas affected by water shortages.

"This activity is not further from the determination of Makassar in the emergency response status of this drought," he said.

According to him, this action has been carried out for several days by distributing clean water to locations affected by lack of clean water.

He stated that the distribution of clean water was not carried out haphazardly, but through an assessment process from the village and sub-district governments.

"Kami jauh hari sebelum ditentukan statusgap darurat di Kota Makassar telah sigap, sehingga itu menjadi bahan kita untuk turun. Sekaligus juga mempriotoskan titik-tik mana saja pada laporan dari camat," katanya.

Moreover, he said, based on the data, the distribution of clean water has been optimal to residents affected by the dry season. They even thanked the Mayor of Makassar for clean water, Moh Ramdhan Pomanto, and Deputy Mayor of Makassar, Fatmawati Rusdi.

"There is no significant problem, because we have coordinated well, such as the Makassar Damkar and PDAM. So that the operation line is carried out properly for all. We urge two things, first save water, and use water as needed," he said.