Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has escalated emergency responses to severe drought conditions in Central and East Java, distributing clean water to hundreds of households facing acute shortages.
The agency confirmed the distribution efforts as part of a broader response to the ongoing dry spell, which has intensified across the archipelago.
The crisis is being driven by a strong El Niño event, with forecasts indicating a 98% probability of the phenomenon reaching strong levels in 2026.
The crisis is being driven by a strong El Niño event, with forecasts indicating a 98% probability of the phenomenon reaching strong levels in 2026.
This climatic pattern has exacerbated water scarcity, forcing authorities to intervene directly to prevent humanitarian impacts in densely populated regions.
This development follows earlier emergency operations in other parts of the country.
BNPB previously confirmed responses to drought and coastal wave issues in East Seram, Maluku, and reported forest and land fires in Aceh, West Java, and Central Java.