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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Yogyakarta Drought Emergency Declared, But Regional Agency Lacks Water Dropping Funds

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Several areas in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, are experiencing drought, with some regions declaring a state of drought emergency.
  • The regional disaster management agency (BPBD DIY) lacks a specific budget for water distribution in 2026 due to overall budget limitations.
  • Despite the funding gap, the agency is coordinating with local governments and receiving aid from various organizations for water supply efforts.

Drought conditions are beginning to affect several regions in Indonesia's Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), with Gunungkidul, Kulon Progo, and Bantul facing water scarcity. Some districts, including Sleman, have already declared a state of hydrometeorological drought emergency.

BPBD DIY indeed does not have (a budget for water dropping this year). That is because of the limitation of the budget ceiling set last year for the implementation of 2026 programs and activities.

— Tito WicaksonoHead of the Emergency Handling Division at BPBD DIY, explaining the lack of a specific budget for water distribution.

However, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD DIY) faces a significant challenge: it has no dedicated budget for water distribution in 2026. This is due to overall budget limitations set last year for the current year's programs. "BPBD DIY indeed does not have (a budget for water dropping this year)," said Tito Wicaksono, Head of the Emergency Handling Division at BPBD DIY.

Despite the lack of a specific budget, BPBD DIY is providing support. They recently lent two water tank vehicles to the Kulon Progo BPBD to assist with water distribution. Initial drought response efforts are relying on the budgets and resources of the local governments. Aid is also coming from organizations like the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), the Social Services, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), NGOs, and the Serayu Opak River Basin Center (BBWSO).

Many are providing water dropping assistance, from BAZNAS are ready. From BBWSO will also participate to support water dropping.

— Tito WicaksonoDescribing the various sources of aid for drought-affected areas.

BPBD DIY continues to monitor the drought's progression across the region. Since April 2026, the agency has held at least three coordination meetings with district/city disaster management agencies to map affected areas down to the village level. While drought is not yet significant in Yogyakarta city, the kabupaten areas, particularly Gunungkidul, Kulon Progo, Bantul, and Sleman, are experiencing more severe water shortages.

We have gathered the district BPBD friends and asked for points at the village level, which points in the hamlet really need support.

— Tito WicaksonoExplaining the process of mapping drought-affected areas.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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