9 Villages In Banggai, Central Sulawesi, Clean Water Crisis, Residents Rely On Rainwater

Archives. The joint team for handling drought distributed clean water to residents affected by drought in Bulagi District, Thursday (9/11/2023). (ANTARA/HO-BPBD Central Sulawesi)

SULTENG - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said that nine villages in Banggai Islands Regency, Central Sulawesi Province (Sulteng), experienced a clean water crisis.

"The intensity of low to moderate rainfall in Banggai Islands Regency has resulted in several villages experiencing a clean water crisis," said Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of Central Sulawesi BPBD Andi Sembiring in Palu, Friday, November 8, as reported by Antara.

He revealed that residents have difficulty getting water to drink, cook and sanitation needs, especially for residents who live in mountainous areas, only relying on rainwater to meet their daily needs.

He said the clean water crisis in Banggai Islands has occurred since the last two months due to low rainfall which has resulted in reduced springs, so that residents experience difficulties in meeting clean water needs.

He said the nine affected villages, namely Alul, Sosom, and Toolon Villages in Bugalagi District and Momotan Village, Pipillogot Paipaku, Palabatu Satu, Mangais, Unu, and Buluni Districts in South Bulugi District.

Based on temporary data from BPBD Central Sulawesi, 2,662 people or 1,144 families (KK) were affected by the clean water crisis. A total of 242 families in Alul Village, 213 families in Sosom Village, 120 families in Toolon Village, 84 families in Momotan Village, 74 families in Pipilog Paipasu Village, 60 families in Palabatu Satu Village, 24 families in Mangais Village, 67 families in Unu Village, and 260 families in Buluni Village.

He said that the Central Sulawesi BPBD Rapid Response Team (TRC) is currently conducting a quick study and needs in areas affected by the clean water crisis.

His party coordinated with local village officials, conducted water storage surveys in affected areas and surveys of water drilling locations in Alul Village.

For now, he said, people use brackish water for bathing and washing clothes, while for consumption needs, residents buy clean water and rainwater that is still left in the shelter.

"Information from the sub-district and residents that the rainfall is low to moderate on November 2-4, so the need for clean water is still sufficient for the next one to two weeks," he said.

He said the Central Sulawesi BPBD TRC and local districts continue to strive for periodic water supplies to affected villages by utilizing nearby water sources from affected locations.

Meanwhile, additional clean water tankers are also a necessity at this time.