Indonesia confronts water shortage and food security risks as drought worsens

Central Java's DPRD chairman Sumanto urged provincial and local governments, the disaster agency, water utilities and other stakeholders to act quickly to mitigate an emerging clean‑water crisis during the current dry season. He highlighted that residents in several villages must travel long distances for water and are increasingly dependent on aid. Sumanto called for updated mapping of drought‑prone areas, dedicated budgeting, water‑tank fleets, and stronger coordination with the military, police, businesses and community groups. He also advocated for longer‑term measures such as building reservoirs, deep wells and planting water‑saving trees.

At the national level, Commission IV member of the House of Representatives Rina Saadah (PKB) warned the Ministry of Agriculture that the 2026 El Niño event could jeopardise Indonesia's goal of self‑sufficiency in food production. She stressed the need to reinforce the agricultural early‑warning system, ensure timely distribution of pumps, irrigation repairs, reservoir construction, drought‑tolerant seeds and intensive extension support, especially in hard‑hit regions like South Sulawesi where tens of thousands of hectares are under drought stress.