Drought Threatens Crops, Water Supply

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Residents collect clean water in Cihanjaro village, Karangkancana district, Kuningan regency, West Java, Friday (20/7/2018). Clean water has been in short supply in four villages of Karangkancana since last June, forcing residents to walk 2 kilometers to get fresh supplies.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Meteorologists expect an unusually long dry season this year. Even as the dry season has yet to reach its peak, some regions of Indonesia have seen no rain for more than three months. The drought complicates water supplies in the affected areas and poses a threat to crops.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), some areas, including West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Bali and East Java, have had no rain for more than 30 days. In Sape, Bima, NTB, it has not rained for 122 days.

"The public should be aware about the possibility of a shortage of drinking water. The drought can affect farming and may cause forest fires," the head of the production, climate information and air quality division at the BMKG, Siswanto, said in Jakarta on Friday.

According Siswanto, some areas of Central Java and the Yogyakarta Special Region have begun to suffer under drought after 45 days of no rain.

The BMKG has released data a number of areas that are predicted to suffer water shortages, which could affect crops. They include Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Kupang, East Sumba, Bima, Rote Ndao, Sumbawa, Larantuka, Maumere and Sabu.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Residents queue for clean water supplies in Cihanjaro village, Karangkancana district, Kuningan regency, West Java, Friday (20/7/2018).

Farming

The water shortages have begun to affect farming activities. The drought has begun to hit crops, as the roots of the plants are no longer able to absorb water from the soil. This critical condition is called a permanent wilting point.

"Generally, meteorological drought in some areas will potentially cause water shortages for crops," said Siswanto.

Most of East Java is at risk of a water shortage for crops. The drought also hit several locations in eastern Central Java and Yogyakarta. "The impact of the drought on the availability of water for crops is predicted to be widespread, considering that the peak of the dry season will occur only in August or September," he said.

In a number of regencies, such as Cirebon and Indramayu, West Java, drought has begun to affect farming activities. The soil in rice fields has begun to crack. Rice plants of 1 month to 50 days are no longer able to grow. Approximately 80 hectares of rice fields in Cirebon and another 70 ha in Indramayu are under threat of crop failure.

Most of the rice fields are neglected. Rice production in these areas, known as the rice center of Indonesia, is estimated to decline significantly. Output in West Java accounts for 17 percent of the national rice needs.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Residents go to a river in Simpayjaya village, Karangkancana district, Kuningan regency, West Java, Friday (20/7/2018) to get clean water.

The head of the food crop section of Cirebon regency’s Agriculture Office, Iwan Mulyawan, said the total area at risk of crop failure from drought could increase, because water supply for eastern parts of Cirebon, such as Pangenan and Astanajapura, from the Darma Reservoir in the Kuningan district is expected to fall significantly.

Wadina, 46, a farmer in Suranenggala, said he had planted rice twice during this dry season (extra planting season). However, all his crops failed because of the lack of water and rodent pest. "If I plant again, I don’t have more capital or energy. I have lost Rp 3 million," said Wadina, who owns 0.7 hectares of rice field.

The vice chairman of the farmers and fishermen group in Indramayu, Sutatang, estimates that more areas will suffer crop failure beginning next week. He hopes that the BBWS, the agency in charge of the Cimanuk and Cisanggarung rivers, will guarantee water supply from the Jatigede Reservoir in Sumedang regency, so that rice production in the area would not be severely affected by the drought.

The Jatigede Reservoir is the primary source of water for rice fields in the area. The chairman of the special team for paddy, corn and soybean crops in West Java, Banun Harpini, said his office continued to coordinate with the BBWS of the Cimanuk and Cisanggarung rivers to supply water to agricultural centers.

In addition to agriculture, the clean water crisis has also begun to hit four villages in Karangkancana district, Kuningan regency, since last month, because the wells have dried up. Residents are forced to walk up to 2 kilometers to get clean water.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Residents get water from a river in Simpayjaya village, Karangkancana district, Kuningan regency, West Java, Friday (20/7/2018).

Meanwhile, a number of springs in Ponorogo regency, East Java, have also begun to dry up. This has resulted in a decline in the water supply for farming activities and clean water for the community. The clean water crisis has affected seven districts. Residents have asked the government for clean water supply.

"Water has been distributed to the crisis site based on citizens\' request. However, due to the dry season, demand for clean water continues to increase," said Setyo Budiono, the head of the Ponorogo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

Residents in 41 villages in six districts of Boyolali regency, Central Java, have also begun to suffer a water crisis. To meet their daily needs, residents must buy clean water for Rp 120,000 per tank of 5,000 liters. "I have bought three tanks," said Sruni, a resident from a village on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Boyolali. Droughts and a resulting water crises also hit Magelang and Temanggung regencies.

El Nino

Siswanto said the current drought was not caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which usually occurs in September. According to estimates, this year\'s El Nino will not be as strong as that of 2015, which triggered drought and widespread forest fires.

"The next El Nino will be similar to that of 2006 and 2007. At the time, El Nino was considered weak and lasted only five months. However, it could also develop into a medium category, which lasted for a long time in 1986. It began in September 1986 and ended only after 18 months in February 1988,” he said.

(AIK/IKI/EGI/NIK/RWN/E21)