Sumur Karang Reservoir Dries Up, Disrupting Agricultural Irrigation in Tangerang

The Sumur Karang Reservoir in Kronjo, Tangerang, Banten, has completely dried up after about a month of dry season, leaving a vast expanse of cracked earth where water once stood. This 5.7-hectare reservoir serves as a vital irrigation source for local agricultural lands, and its depletion signals a widening impact of the drought in the region.

The drying of the reservoir is occurring as the drought's effects become more widespread across Tangerang Regency. Earlier in August, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tangerang reported that 13 sub-districts were experiencing a clean water crisis, affecting 1,565 families, or 6,260 individuals.

The agricultural sector is also under threat. The lack of irrigation water has put approximately 43 hectares of rice crops across 12 sub-districts and 24 villages at risk of crop failure, commonly known as 'puso' in Indonesia. This situation highlights the critical dependence of local farming on consistent water supply from sources like the Sumur Karang Reservoir.

Residents were seen sitting by the dry reservoir bed, a stark visual of the water scarcity impacting the area. The diminishing water levels not only threaten crop yields but also raise concerns about water availability for other essential needs in the community. The prolonged dry season has turned a significant water body into barren land, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to climatic conditions.