The Government Must Respond Quickly To Areas That Experience A Clean Water Crisis

Illustration. A resident crossed the area affected by the dry drought in the Botok Reservoir, Sragen, Central Java on Tuesday, May 25, 2023. (ANTARA-Mohammad Ayudha)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, has encouraged the Government to act quickly to overcome the problem of the clean water crisis that hit a number of areas following the long dry season. The availability of clean water is the basic right of every people.

"I urge the Government to immediately take handling steps for areas experiencing drought, be it dropping clean water or providing other supporting infrastructure," said Puan, Wednesday, September 13.

As is known, a number of areas experienced a clean water crisis due to drought due to long dryness. Such as three areas in South Sulawesi Province that have imposed drought emergency response status, namely Makassar City, Maros Regency, and Jeneponto Regency.

Several other areas experienced a clean water crisis due to drought such as in Bangka Belitung, a number of areas in Banten, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), East Java, and West Java. Even the Bekasi Regency Government has declared a state of emergency alert for drought due to a number of areas in the area experiencing drought.

In Central Java, many areas have entered the alert category or red drought disaster. Puan also highlighted the clean water crisis in Sukoharjo Regency which affected 8,002 people in 3 sub-districts, namely Weru, Bulu and Tawangsari sub-districts.

"Clean water crisis in Sukoharjo is a reflection of the bigger problem in Indonesia, namely the imbalance between water supply and increasing demand," said the legislator from the Central Java V electoral district.

The cause of drought is allegedly due to the prolonged dry season which causes clean water reservoir wells to experience a water discharge crisis. Currently, residents affected by drought in Sukoharjo expect to drop clean water to support their daily activities.

Puan asked the Regional Government to cooperate with relevant stakeholders to immediately meet the needs of the community.

"Drought is a disaster. With good synergy from all elements of the nation, it is hoped that the difficulties of the citizens can be resolved immediately," said Puan.

Based on information from the BMKG, areas experiencing the dry season include Aceh, North Sumatra, mostly Riau, mostly West Sumatra, mostly Bengkulu, mostly Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, Lampung, Java to NTT.

Then West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, mostly North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, North and Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, parts of North Maluku, parts of Maluku, parts of West Papua and southern Papua.

BMKG has issued warnings for a number of areas in Indonesia that fall into the drought alert category. These areas are Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, NTB, NTT, and South Sulawesi Provinces.

Puan realized that this year's dry season is longer than the previous year has caused many residents to face drought. Therefore, she hopes that the Government can respond quickly to residents' complaints, especially in fulfilling clean water.

"This disaster is a warning that must be handled seriously. We must work hard together to face climate change and increasingly complex environmental challenges," said Puan.

On the other hand, Puan said that the portrait of drought that hit a number of regions in Indonesia must be handled with infrastructure improvement. Considering that there are still many areas that rely on traditional wells as the main means of getting clean water.

"Instead of relying on traditional wells that are no longer sufficient, the Government needs to make major changes in managing water resources and securing access to clean water for all Indonesians," explained Puan.

Puan also encouraged the central and regional governments to collaborate to make major changes in managing water resources and securing access to clean water for all Indonesians.

"This includes identifying areas that are prone to drought, improving water storage infrastructure, and preparing plans for sustainable water resource management," explained Bung Karno's grandson.