Bogor, Bekasi And Garut Regencies Have Drought Emergency Status

BPBD officers distribute clean water to the community in Garut Regency, West Java. (ANTARA/HO-BPBD Garut)

WEST BANDUNG - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Java Province said that as many as three districts had drought emergency alert status.

"We have determined the emergency response status of drought in three areas in West Java, namely Bogor Regency, Bekasi Regency and Garut Regency," said West Java BPBD Youth Public Relations Officer Hadi, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 13.

Although only a few have been declared drought emergency, Hadi said that until now, BPBD is still on standby for drought that has hit 16 cities/regencies in West Java with a total of 109 sub-districts and 268 villages affected by drought.

With conditions like this, he continued, BPBD has provided 5,249,480 liters of clean water supply to all areas affected by drought in West Java.

"By seeking water supplies to affected communities for clean water needs, because that is the most important thing," he said.

In addition, his party also continues to coordinate with government elements by participating in providing technical equipment in the field, so that they can be deployed to affected areas.

"We are also coordinating with agencies to help with equipment resources such as tank cars so that they can be pushed to affected areas," he said.

He explained that the West Java BPBD had made various efforts to anticipate the impact of drought, including building retention ponds as an effort to reduce the wider impact.

"Of course what we always need to anticipate is the mitigation side. Now, it means that some efforts have indeed been made, such as making artificial lakes," Hadi added.