Jakarta, IO – The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has prepared three emergency drought response measures in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The preparation was carried out at the encouragement of the central government.
BNPB head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto said the three efforts include directly encouraging the distribution of clean water using water tankers. Construction of deep wells, and finally, carrying out weather modification operations to bring rain, as per BNPB.go.id, Wed (25/9).
Suharyanto explained that these steps were taken based on the emergency alert status that had been issued in a number of areas, including North Lombok, East Lombok, Central Lombok, Dompu, Bima regency and city, West Sumbawa, Sumbawa, and West Lombok. Meanwhile, Mataram City is awaiting the determination of its status.
In order to support optimal emergency response, BNPB also handed over operational funds for emergency response to the drought to the provincial government, city and district governments.
“We also provide initial assistance for operational funds for handling drought and forest and land fires,” said Suharyanto.
The total operational funds support is Rp2.3 billion. In addition, logistical and equipment support was also symbolically handed over, including 20 units of 5,000 liter water tanks and five booster pumps.
Suharyanto hopes that the affected provincial and district and city governments can move quickly to prepare necessary measures, especially technical requirements to support the construction of drilled wells and other related activities so that handling can be carried out optimally.
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The drought that hit the area has affected 71 districts, 272 villages and sub-districts, and 515,205 residents. The situation has caused a clean water crisis affecting 10 hectares of agricultural land.
The drought occurred due to a number of things, one of which being the low rainfall in the NTB region according to the BMKG weather forecast. “NTB is one of the provinces with low rainfall. Several areas many have mobilized water assistance operations to help the community using water tankers,” said Suharyanto. (un)