Indonesia drought triggers water crises and forest fires

Severe drought conditions are causing widespread water crises and increasing forest fire risks across several regions in Indonesia.

In Majalengka, 17 villages across 11 districts are facing acute clean water shortages. The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has distributed approximately 438,000 liters of water to assist affected residents. Additionally, the region has seen a rise in forest and land fires, with 28 incidents reported in September 2026, up from 23 the previous month.

In Pacitan, the drought has expanded significantly, with 73 villages now requesting clean water assistance. The BPBD reports that 21,112 families across 246 hamlets are in a state of emergency regarding water access. Due to the growing scale of the crisis, the emergency response status in Pacitan has been extended through November 2026.