When the Long Dry Season Leaves Behind Drought...

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The prolonged dry season has started to transform the condition of several water sources in Tangerang and Depok, West Java.

In Tangerang, the downstream section of the Pasar Baru Dam’s Sepuluh Gate on the Cisadane River has dried up, exposing soil sediments and accumulations of trash.

Meanwhile, in Depok, Cinere Lake in Pangkalan Jati has shrunk. Water remains only in the center, while the lake bed is drying, cracking, and becoming visible.

Although both locations appear dry, their situations stem from different circumstances.

Cisadane water is intentionally withheld

Didik Purwanto, Head of the Cidurian-Cisadane Watershed Management Unit (UPTD), explained that the downstream drying of the Cisadane River occurs because the Sepuluh Gate of the Pasar Baru Dam is closed.

The gate is closed to preserve raw water availability upstream to ensure the needs of PDAM (regional water company), irrigation, and industry are met.

"It’s closed to maintain the stock so services for PDAM, irrigation, and others can continue operating. We close it to ensure the supply for raw water, irrigation, and industry remains sufficient," Didik said when met by Kompas.com at the Cidurian-Cisadane Watershed Management Unit on Monday (21/9/2026).

Didik confirmed that the drying downstream does not disrupt the main function of the dam or overall water availability.

He stated the gate will be opened if the Cisadane River water level (TMA) surpasses normal limits.

"Its function remains operating normally. Only this area (downstream) is dry. Upstream the water is sufficient, so it doesn’t affect that. The gate opens only if the water level exceeds the normal limit," Didik said.

Marto, an operator at the Sepuluh Gate Dam, stated that the current water level at the Cisadane River is 12.30 meters.

The normal operational range for the dam is between 12.00 and 12.40 meters.

"If it goes above 12.40 meters, we start flushing water downstream. During this dry season, spring water inflows decline, so levels typically stay below the maximum normal limit. Hence, no water is released downstream," Marto explained.

Marto added that the downstream flow essentially holds overflow water that moves towards the sea.

There are no raw water users downstream; therefore, the dry condition does not impact community water needs.

"Upstream remains normal. The supply for PDAM is good and they can still draw water. Downstream is dry because the dam gate is closed," he said.

Kompas.com’s observations showed a stark contrast between the upstream and downstream areas of the Sepuluh Gate Dam.

Upstream or in front of the dam, water flow remains abundant and normal, while downstream behind the dam has dried up, revealing soil sediments and trash piles.

The exposed downstream area is even used by local residents for fishing with rods and nets.

Cinere Lake dramatically shrinks

In contrast to the controlled drying downstream of Cisadane, the drought at Cinere Lake has resulted from months of extended dry weather.

During a site inspection on Monday, Kompas.com found that water no longer covers the lake, remaining only in the center.

The receding water has exposed the lake bottom, which has dried and cracked extensively.

The lake’s edges are beginning to sprout wild grasses.

Fani, a resident of RT 04 RW 04, said Cinere Lake’s water started receding three to four months ago.

"It’s been a while, about 3-4 months. Usually, it’s full of water," Fani said near an UMKM (small-scale business) stall by the lake on Monday.

According to her, the lake’s water decline is due to the prolonged dry season.

She also commented that this year's dry season is worse than previous years.

"This one is really the worst heat. The recent rains didn’t have much effect because they were so brief," she added.

Cinere Lake had previously dried up around 2022 or 2023, but the situation then was not as severe.

"So about four years ago, it dried up like this too. This is the second time. Back then, even though it dried up, there was still some water and the soil was muddy — not as dry as now. This might be the worst," she said.

Idan, a security guard at a housing complex near the lake, said Cinere Lake began drying around June 2026.

He added that a few days of rain recently did little to change the lake’s condition.

"The dry season started in early June. It got hotter, and the water decreased. Then there was rain, if I recall. The rain lasted until 5 p.m., but the water just soaked into the ground immediately. It disappeared again and dried out," Idan said Monday at the lake’s guard post.

Under normal conditions, Cinere Lake’s depth can reach up to two meters.

The dry condition has also reduced the number of residents and visitors who typically enjoy the lake view.

"When there’s water, it looks nice. There are many fish, and lots of people feed them," Idan explained.

"Because of this dry season, it seems like visitors have decreased. There’s not much to see now — just this dry lake," he added.

(Reporters: Thalita Dewanty, Isna Rifka Sri Rahayu)