Wells Dry Up Due to Drought, Bandung Barat Residents Struggle for Clean Water

Residents in Kampung Cibeber Hilir, Desa Giriasih, Batujajar District, Bandung Barat Regency, are struggling to access clean water as their wells have begun to dry up due to a prolonged drought. The community is now dependent on external aid for their daily water needs.

Water aid distributed by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of Bandung Barat on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) was immediately met with a rush from affected residents. They brought buckets, jerrycans, and used gallon containers to collect the clean water essential for cooking, bathing, and washing dishes.

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It's been difficult to get water for more than two months. The wells have started to dry up, there's no water.

"It's been difficult to get water for more than two months. The wells have started to dry up, there's no water," said Siti Aisyah (37), a resident. She explained that since the wells dried up due to the long drought, influenced by this year's El Nino phenomenon, obtaining clean water has been a significant challenge. This situation is typical during the dry season, as the community relies solely on well water, which is dependent on weather conditions. Previously, residents obtained water from a nearby factory for their daily needs.

Sri (50), another resident, shared a similar plight. Her well, once a primary source of water, has significantly receded and is now dry due to the drought. She expressed strong hope for continued assistance. "Yes, the well has been dry for about two months, only a little left. We got water from the factory before, but that's also starting to dwindle," she said. Both residents expressed a desire for more frequent aid distributions and a sustainable solution from the government to alleviate their worries each dry season.

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Yes, the well has been dry for about two months, only a little left. We got water from the factory before, but that's also starting to dwindle.