Indonesia's Public Works Ministry tackles 492 drought sites, providing water to 155,000 people

The Ministry of Public Works (Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum) has addressed 492 drought‑affected locations across Indonesia as part of its response to the El Niño‑driven dry season. Minister Dody Hanggodo said water is a strategic foundation for sustainable development and that actions must be swift, measured and coordinated.

The effort covers 105 rice‑field sites protecting 22,210 ha of farmland and 387 settlement sites delivering clean water to 155,228 residents. Of the 492 sites, 442 are fully completed while 50 remain in progress.

Regional breakdown: Sumatra – 31 sites (177 ha, 3,368 people); Java – 305 sites (12,875 ha, 125,540 people); Kalimantan, Bali and Nusa Tenggara – 81 sites (801 ha, 15,900 people); Sulawesi – 49 sites (7,799 ha, 7,153 people); Maluku, North Maluku and Papua – 10 sites (618 ha, 3,267 people).