Sri Sultan Sets Drought Disaster Emergency Alert Status In Yogyakarta For 1 Month

Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X (ANTARA/Luqman Hakim)

YOGYAKARTA - Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X has set a Drought Disaster Emergency Alert Status from August 1 to August 31, 2024, responding to the impact of drought in the dry season in this region. This was conveyed by the Chief Executive of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) Noviar Rahmad when confirmed in Yogyakarta, Antara, Monday, August 5. "The DIY Governor's Decree (SK) has been out for August 1 until August 31, the time is a month," said Noviar. According to Noviar, the status set by Sultan HB X through Governor Decree No. 286/KEP/2024 concerning the Determination of the Drought Disaster Emergency Alert Status in DIY can be extended when drought in this region continues. "It can be extended if the drought problem continues," he said. Noviar said the emergency alert status for the drought disaster was set by the Governor of Yogyakarta considering that three districts in this area, namely Kulon Progo, Gunungkidul, and Sleman regencies, had the status of hydrometeorological emergency alert. "Provinces can set an emergency alert if more than one district has determined. Meanwhile, there are three in this district/city," he said. He explained that the determination of the emergency alert status would be the basis for the DIY BPBD to realize the weather modification operation plan in this area. According to Noviar, the artificial rain program will involve the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). On the basis of the emergency alert decree, continued Noviar, DIY BPBD can help the need for dropping clean water to regencies/cities in need. "The basis is the decree. But we ask for the budget through the ready-to-use funds in the central BNPB," he said. Previously, the Head of the Yogyakarta BMKG Climatology Station, Reni Kraningtyas, said that the peak of the 2024 dry season in DIY is predicted to take place between July and August 2024. The end of the dry season is predicted to be in September 2024, the first basic starting in northern Kulon Progo Regency. Head of the DIY BPBD Emergency Handling Division, Edhy Hartana, appealed to the people in DIY to start frugal using water so that it does not just depend on government assistance.

"We appeal to residents who are especially affected by drought, save on using water. After using water, it can be distributed to plants, so don't waste it," he said.