BPBD Gunungkidul Prepares Clean Water Assistance To Anticipate The Impact Of Drought

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

GUNUNGKIDUL - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, has prepared clean water assistance for residents to anticipate possible droughts and clean water shortages during the 2022 dry season.

Head of BPBD Gunungkidul Purwono said that there was a risk of a shortage of clean water in areas prone to drought during the dry season, especially in areas not yet reached by PDAM Tirta Handayani services.

"We at BPBD have prepared 400 tanks of clean water to be distributed to residents in need. For clean water assistance from the sub-district, it is adjusted to the existing budget in the sub-district," said Purwono, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 17.

BPBD routinely allocates budget to provide clean water assistance during the dry season and if the routine budget allocation runs out, BPBD will submit an application using the unexpected cost allocation (BTT) for this purpose.

However, the disbursement of BTT can only be done after the determination of the emergency response status for the drought disaster.

"We are optimistic that this year's budget for clean water assistance will suffice, although the budget is not as much as in previous years, (moreover) many people are currently served by PDAMs," said Purwono.

BPBD Gunungkidul monitors and maps areas prone to drought during the dry season.

Massive pipelines carried out by regional drinking water companies in areas traversed by the Southern Cross Road (JJLS) help reduce the risk of a shortage of clean water supply during the dry season.

"The springs from Bribin can meet the needs of clean water for the eastern and central parts of Gunungkidul," said Purwono.

According to him, until the end of May 2022 the availability of water is estimated to be safe because residents can still get water from existing water sources, including lakes.

In addition, he said, residents can still collect rainwater in reservoirs to meet their water needs.

"Rain is still falling in the Gunungkidul area, although not evenly, so residents can take advantage of it," he said.

He estimates that residents will need clean water assistance around June 2022.