Bekasi Regency Government Extends Drought Emergency Response Period Until The End Of September

Agricultural land was affected by drought in the Sukawangi District, Bekasi Regency, West Java during this year's dry season period. (ANTARA)

BEKASI - The Bekasi Regency Government, West Java has extended the emergency response period for drought for the next 14 days starting from September 14-27 based on the Bekasi Regent Decree Number: HK.02/02/Kep.599-BPBD/2023 following up on drought conditions in the area.

"Based on the conclusion of last night's coordination meeting, we have decided to extend the emergency status of the drought for the next 14 days. With various consequences," said Bekasi Regent Dani Ramdan as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 14.

He said this extension was based on the results of an evaluation of the conditions and handling of drought by observing several indicator elements, including an increase in the number of people and the area of agricultural land affected by the disaster.

Dani explained that in addition to increasing the number of people and affected agricultural land, the distribution of clean water as much as more than two million liters based on the standards of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) will also be met. Plus the potential factor for rising basic food prices as a result of drought.

He admitted that the impact of drought in the economic sector related to the increase in the prices of basic commodities in the market that began to occur, was not spared from being taken into consideration by the regional government in determining the extension of this emergency response period.

"This is also another consideration. The fact that the price increase has not been seen even though some basic commodities have experienced an increase. This is our observation and in our anticipation. Because with this drought, the price of rice may have started to rise, and it may be followed by other basic commodity prices," he said.

The Bekasi Regency Government continues to seek assistance to optimize aid during the extension of the emergency response status for drought. Starting from internal sources of local and individual governments, submissions to the private sector and provinces, to ready-to-use funds sourced from BNPB.

"We have submitted it to BNPB as well, since a week ago and it is in progress. It is possible that we will also submit it to the West Java Provincial Government. There is also assistance from the private sector that we still need to improve," he said.

The Head of the Bekasi Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Muchlis said the validity period for the extension of the emergency response status for drought disasters could be extended or shortened according to disaster management needs.

He said all costs incurred during the implementation of the emergency response for the drought disaster were borne by the 2023 Bekasi Regency APBD, the Provincial Government and the Central Government, as well as other legitimate and non-binding sources of funds.

Muchlis explained that based on data as of Wednesday (13/9/2023) at 21.00 WIB, 118,679 people from 37,377 families in Bekasi Regency were affected by drought that hit 40 villages in nine sub-districts in the area.

His party has also distributed 2,055,600 liters of clean water, 20 water reservoirs or torens, 1,190 gallons of mineral water, and 35 boxes of mineral water to residents affected by drought.

"Clean water jerry cans are also given to residents. Local governments are also normalizing three secondary channels and building three satellite wells. Then connecting PDAM pipes to affected houses is also being pursued through Perumda Tirta Bhagasasi as a long-term solution," he said.