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Drought Update in Gunungkidul: 17 Districts Request Clean Water Aid

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Residents collect water from the Wonosari River in Duwet Hamlet, Purwodadi Village, Tepus, Gunungkidul, Thursday (23/7/2026)(KOMPAS.COM/MARKUS YUWONO)

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Seventeen out of the eighteen districts (kapanewon) in Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), have requested clean water aid due to the drought affecting the area.

The Gunungkidul Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has received an additional 5,100 clean water tanks to meet the needs of the impacted residents.

"Approximately 90,000 people are affected by the clean water shortage," said Purwono, Head of BPBD Gunungkidul, in a phone interview on Saturday (19/9/2026).

According to Purwono, the estimate of about 90,000 people is based on reports of clean water distribution conducted so far.

Until now, among the 18 kapanewon in Gunungkidul, only Playen has yet to submit a request for clean water aid.

"Aid distribution has already begun across 17 kapanewon. The supplies are currently being delivered using the Unexpected Expenditure (BTT) budget," he added.

Clean Water Aid

Dok Kapanewon Gedangsari Distribution of clean water aid in Gedangsari Kapanewon, Gunungkidul

Purwono also said that the Gunungkidul Regency Government has prepared 5,100 clean water tanks funded through the BTT budget. Each tank contains 5,000 liters of clean water.

For distribution, BPBD Gunungkidul is collaborating with third parties due to limitations in its own tanker fleet. Currently, only four BPBD tanks are operational.

"We are partnering with third parties, as the kapanewon do. The tanks will display banners indicating aid from the Gunungkidul Regency Government," he explained.

This clean water aid has been distributed to various locations within the kapanewon that require assistance.

"So far, aid has been delivered to several kapanewon such as Purwosari, Panggang, and others," said Purwono.

Distribution of 5,100 Clean Water Tanks

Purwono stated that distribution of the 5,100 clean water tanks will continue until the coming November. This is in line with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecast that the rainy season will begin in mid-November.

He added that clean water aid will still be provided at the start of the rainy season because rainwater will not immediately meet residents' needs.

"Residents are advised to conserve clean water, as the dry season is expected to last longer," he said.