CILACAP, CENTRAL JAVA — Several areas in Cilacap Regency are still hit by drought and severe clean water crisis. The drought-affected areas include 15 villages from 8 sub-districts, namely Kawunganten, Patimuan, Gandrungmangu, Bantarsari, Jeruklegi, Kampung Laut, Adipala, and Sidareja. Many residents have difficulty getting clean water and are affected by this drought. Especially in hilly areas where it is difficult to get clean water. Seeing these conditions, Dompet Dhuafa through its Central Java branch distributed clean water to affected communities.
In response to this, Dompet Dhuafa Central Java Branch Manager Zaini Tafrikhan has instructed the Disaster Management Center (DMC) team to be on standby in overcoming the drought disaster this year. On August 13, 2024, the Dompet Dhuafa Central Java DMC team distributed 10,000 liters of clean water to Karangkemiri Village in Jeruklegi District. The effort aims to support the need for clean water in 4 hamlets and 15 RTs that are severely affected by drought. Residents of Karangaglik hamlet, one of the affected hamlets, began to have difficulty getting clean water since June 2024. Due to the reduced rainfall and the water discharge of the residents’ wells that began to decrease until they dried up.
“Responding to the information that has been published by the authorities about the drought that has been felt in several areas in Central Java. Alhamdulillah, we have sent a team to distribute the first batch of clean water. Insha Allah, this will not be the last, because we are also preparing to distribute clean water in other drought-affected areas in Central Java,” explained Zaini Tafrikhan.
Geographical Challenges of Clean Water Distribution
Geographically, Karangkemiri Village is located in a hilly area, making it difficult to obtain clean water. The local BPBD has provided clean water three times a week, but demand still exceeds supply. Due to the large number of residents affected by the drought. This shows the need for more sustainable solutions to overcome the clean water crisis that recurs every year.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has also conducted weather modification operations to encourage rain and increase rain cloud growth in several major cities, including Surabaya, Solo, Bandung and Jakarta, from May 30 to June 10, 2024. The Cilacap District Government has declared a Drought Emergency Status from May 22 to November 22, 2024 to cope with the drought disaster. The declaration aims to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts to effectively address this crisis. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Maolan
Editors: Shobron Kamil/Taufan YN