Dry Season, 500 Villages In East Java Drought In Critical Category

The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded 500 villages spread across 22 of the 38 regencies/cities in East Java experiencing a left-handed drought. Critical dryness is in the drought category, with a clean water source center located more than 3 kilometers (km) from residential areas.

"Throughout the 2023 dry season, there are 500 critical dry villages, fewer than in 2022 as many as 513 villages. It is spread across 22 districts in East Java that are experiencing critical drought," said Head of East Java BPBD, Gatot Soebroto, Friday, September 15.

The 22 regions experienced a critical drought, namely Tuban, Lamongan, Bojonegoro, Gresik, and Mojokerto regencies. Then Kediri, Bojonegoro, Ponorogo, Nganjuk, Trenggalek, Tulungagung, Situbondo, Blitar regencies.

Furthermore, Pasuruan Regency, Probolinggo Regency, Pacitan, Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan, Bondowoso, Jember, Sumenep, and Malang Regency.

Gatot said that so far his party had dropped clean water, to several affected villages with critical dry status. Clean water delivery has been carried out in Situbondo, Jember, Lumajang, Malang, and others.

The East Java BPBD suggested that 22 areas experiencing critical drought should immediately issue a drought emergency alert status. The goal is to maximize assistance, according to existing regulations.

"So, areas that have issued decrees can issue Unexpected Expenditure Funds (BTT) to support active distribution in dealing with drought. Currently, only 20 regions have issued emergency drought decrees," he said.