HARIANEXPRESS – East Java’s Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD Jatim) has confirmed that 22 districts and cities in the province have declared a drought emergency status, (1/9/2026).
Out of these 22 areas, 19 are under standby emergency status, while three others have entered a disaster response phase. This declaration comes as August 2026 was identified as the peak of the dry season, according to data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Gatot Soebroto, the Head of BPBD Jatim, stated that 22 out of 29 drought-prone districts and cities in East Java have issued standby emergency decrees. “Untuk kekeringan sendiri, hingga hari ini sebagaimana informasi BMKG, ini merupakan puncak musim kering. Dari potensi 29 kabupaten-kota di Jawa Timur yang punya rawan kekeringan, sudah ada 22 kabupaten-kota yang membuat SK Siaga Darurat,” Gatot Soebroto said.
The 19 regions declaring standby emergency status include Bondowoso, Lamongan, Banyuwangi, Bangkalan, Blitar, Pasuruan, Trenggalek, Gresik, Malang, Jember, Sampang, Tulungagung, Ngawi, Pacitan, Ponorogo, Jombang, Bojonegoro, Pamekasan, and Kota Batu. Meanwhile, the three districts under disaster response status are Mojokerto Regency, Lumajang, and Situbondo.
Fifteen of the 22 affected areas have already submitted requests to BPBD Jatim for clean water distribution assistance. The agency has commenced data collection and water dropping efforts in the most affected areas. Gatot Soebroto added, “Dan kita sudah melakukan pendataan, sudah dilakukan dropping air bersih, dan nanti tetap kita menunggu permintaan penduduk dari daerah mana yang sekiranya paling butuh untuk dilakukan dropping air bersih.”
BPBD East Java has prepared comprehensive aid, including thousands of clean water deliveries, water tanks, and tarpaulins for regions in need. The distribution of these resources is a collaborative effort with various volunteers in the affected areas.
