Indonesia Deploys Dams and Bore Wells to Combat Drought Threat

Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works is employing a multi-pronged strategy to combat the threat of drought, going beyond traditional reliance on dams. The government is optimizing the use of 10,789 bore wells, collectively capable of supplying over 114,000 cubic meters of water per second, to maintain water availability for both the public and the agricultural sector.

Alongside these wells, the ministry is ensuring the readiness of dams, weirs, and reservoirs to guarantee water supply throughout the dry season and in anticipation of the El Nino phenomenon. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized that the management of water resource infrastructure is a critical step in preserving agricultural productivity and bolstering food security amidst the challenges of climate change.

"The Ministry of Public Works is committed to building and completing water management infrastructure such as dams, weirs, and reservoirs in various regions," Hanggodo stated. "The presence of this infrastructure is vital for supporting agricultural irrigation, maintaining land productivity, and ensuring a stable food supply despite the challenges of the dry season and climate change."

To enhance water distribution efficiency, the ministry is adjusting dam and irrigation network operations based on field conditions. Furthermore, a fleet of emergency equipment, including 125 mobile pumps, 921 Alkon pumps, and 49 drilling machines, has been prepared for deployment to drought-affected areas. The government is also actively mapping regions vulnerable to drought and increasing public education on adaptation strategies for the dry season. In agriculture, the ministry is promoting the adoption of water-saving rice irrigation technology (IPHA), which aims to reduce water consumption without compromising crop yields. Long-term national water resilience is being strengthened through the ongoing construction of water resource infrastructure, including dams, irrigation networks, groundwater irrigation networks, and bore wells.

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The Ministry of Public Works is committed to building and completing water management infrastructure such as dams, weirs, and reservoirs in various regions. The presence of this infrastructure is vital for supporting agricultural irrigation, maintaining land productivity, and ensuring a stable food supply despite the challenges of the dry season and climate change.