BLITAR – Blitar water shortage crisis is intensifying as authorities warn that current reserves may not be enough to face a prolonged dry season. Officials have begun seeking additional support, including hundreds of water tankers, to prevent severe shortages in vulnerable areas.

Blitar Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has allocated Rp 80 million to supply 90 tankers of clean water. However, BPBD chief Wahyudi said the amount falls short due to rising fuel costs. “We initially projected 133 tankers, but fuel price increases reduced capacity to around 90,” he said.

Wahyudi explained that officials prepared the budget in 2025, before stronger El Nino forecasts and fuel price hikes. As a result, the allocation no longer reflects actual needs on the ground.

BPBD has started mapping water demand across drought-prone areas. The agency warned that existing reserves will only serve as an early response once reports begin to emerge. However, officials expect the supply to run out quickly if the dry season persists.

“Clearly, this will not be enough for a prolonged drought, especially with seven districts at risk,” Wahyudi said. Therefore, BPBD has submitted a request for additional assistance to the East Java provincial government and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The agency is seeking an extra 600 tankers of clean water to meet projected demand. At the same time, local authorities are exploring partnerships with private companies to strengthen emergency response efforts through collaborative schemes.

BPBD also urged residents to remain vigilant and report water shortages immediately so authorities can respond quickly and effectively.

Blitar Regent Rijanto confirmed that seven districts and 21 villages have now entered “red zone” status due to high drought risk. The most affected areas include Panggungrejo, where more than 36,000 residents face water shortages, and Wonotirto, where around 20,000 people face similar threats.

“This is a significant number and a shared responsibility for us to anticipate and respond early,” Rijanto said.

To mitigate the impact, the local government has coordinated with the central government on infrastructure support and drought-resistant agriculture. Assistance from the Agriculture Ministry includes 128 pumping irrigation units and 23 pipeline irrigation systems.

In addition, the Blitar administration has allocated Rp 6.2 billion in the 2026 regional budget to rehabilitate irrigation channels across 11 districts. Another Rp 1.1 billion has been set aside for dam repairs. Authorities have also prepared 45.585 tons of rice reserves for emergency distribution during the crisis.