14 Sub-districts in Bandung Barat at Risk of Drought, BPBD Prepares Emergency Scenarios

Bandung Barat Regency is bracing for a potential drought crisis, with a significant majority of its sub-districts identified as high-risk areas.

“

We cannot work alone. Mitigation must be done comprehensively by involving all stakeholders, from water management, agriculture, to fire preparedness.

The regional disaster management agency (BPBD) has mapped out 14 out of 16 sub-districts as vulnerable to drought, a situation exacerbated by the predicted extreme dry season linked to El Nino. This proactive assessment underscores the urgency of implementing comprehensive mitigation strategies.

BPBD Head of Prevention and Preparedness, Dedi Supriadi, emphasized that tackling this challenge requires a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders. The agency is focusing on optimizing water management in reservoirs and dams, alongside developing contingency plans for clean water distribution to communities likely to be impacted.

“

We are preparing a clean water distribution scenario and mapping priority areas. We don't want to be late in acting when the crisis occurs.

In the agricultural sector, coordination is underway to adjust planting calendars and promote the use of drought-resistant seeds to minimize the risk of crop failure. Furthermore, heightened vigilance against forest and land fires is being maintained through strengthened coordination with fire departments and forestry authorities, coupled with public education on the impacts of smoke.

“

We are preparing personnel and equipment to anticipate forest and land fires, as well as educating the public about the impacts of smoke.