T

he Central Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is taking several steps to offset a potential drought that would threaten large swaths of the province. Two of these steps are to coordinate all the BPBD offices located throughout the province'€™s 35 regencies and cities to drill wells and pipelines, and to prepare for a distribution of clean water to residents.

Central Java BPBD head Sarwa Pramana said that around 60 percent of the 35 regencies and cities in the province were predicted to experience drought conditions during the dry season this year. The drought is expected to hit its peak between August and September.

'€œCurrently, signs of drought have appeared in several regions,'€ said Sarwain Semarang, Central Java.

He added that at least 15 regencies had been declared drought-prone. Drought-prone regencies located on the northern coast of the province are Brebes, Pemalang, Batang, Pati and Rembang, while those located on the southern coast include Cilacap, Kebumen, Purworejo and Wonogiri.

The central regions encompassing Semarang, Grobogan, Blora, Sragen, Klaten and Banjarnegara regencies, were also declared vulnerable to drought.

The dry season is expected to arrive at the end of June or July and last until September in most parts of the province. The agency has coordinated with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to assist with preparations.

'€œUpon the arrival of the dry season, we have requested the BPBD offices in the regencies and cities to immediately institute a drought emergency status so that we can take appropriate measures, like setting up clean water pipelines,'€ said Sarwa.

He expressed concern that the upcoming drought could trigger a clean water crisis and a drop in crop production. He said the drought could also indirectly trigger price increases in basic foodstuffs due to dwindling supplies.

'€œLow production can cause considerable material and financial loss, and if it takes place on a large scale, such an event could even pose a threat to national food security. However, so far, the drought in Central Java has only caused disruptions in environmental hydrology '€” signs of a water shortage during the dry season,'€ said Sarwa.

Separately, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said his administration was currently focused on speeding up the construction of reservoirs and devising ways to use the Jatibarang dam in Semarang to help with the potential drought.

'€œIf the reservoirs cannot resolve the issue, we will be forced to supply water to residents. Though this would be a last resort, at least we have prepared numerous water sources to supply clean water to residents,'€ Ganjar said.