Member of Commission V of the House of Representatives, Sudjatmiko, reminded the government to immediately prepare anticipatory steps following the prediction of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding the potential for a dry season that comes early and lasts longer this year.
According to him, the government should not wait until the impact of drought begins to be felt on the ground. He emphasized that mitigation planning must be carried out early so that potential risks such as drought, clean water crisis, and agricultural sector disruption can be minimized.
"Risk management for the impact of drought I think must be prepared far in advance, especially in areas that are sensitive to climate change. The government needs to prepare mitigation steps so that the impact of this year's dry season does not carry fatal risks," Sudjatmiko told reporters, Thursday, March 5.
The West Java district legislator assessed that the warning delivered by BMKG must be the basis for ministries and local governments to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination. Especially in the management of water resources, infrastructure readiness, and protection of communities in drought-prone areas.
The PKB politician also emphasized two main steps to maintain water discharge on the surface of the earth. First, expand reforestation efforts and build as many reservoirs and ponds as possible to accommodate rainwater so that it is not immediately wasted into the sea.
Second, increase the construction of infiltration wells in various areas, both in residential areas, agricultural land, and forest areas, so that water can be absorbed into the ground and become a groundwater reserve.
"The government needs to ensure the availability of water reserves through the optimization of existing reservoirs, ponds, and irrigation networks. In addition, clean water distribution programs in drought-prone areas must also be prepared from now, don't wait for an emergency situation," he said.
Sudjatmiko also suggested that the government strengthen the early warning system and disseminate climate information to the public and local governments so that anticipation measures can be carried out faster and more accurately.
"Coordination between the central government, regions, and related institutions must be strengthened. Climate information from BMKG must be translated into concrete policies in the field so that the public, especially farmers and drought-prone areas, can make adjustments early," he said.
He hopes that with planned mitigation measures and strong coordination, the potential impact of the long drought this year can be managed well. "So that the long drought does not develop into a crisis that harms the community," he concluded.
Previously, BMKG predicted that a number of areas in Indonesia would enter the dry season starting April 2026. The dry season begins in Nusa Tenggara and is gradually experienced in other areas.
"At the beginning of the dry season, most of Indonesia is predicted to enter the dry season in the April period, namely there are 114 seasonal zones or about 16.3 percent of all seasonal zones in Indonesia, as many as 699," said the Head of BMKG, Teuku Faisal Fathani in a press conference at the BMKG Office in Jakarta, Wednesday, March 4.
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