The Bali administration has issued a state of emergency set to span the next two weeks, responding to the mounting drought crisis in the region.
Acting Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya announced the decision following a visit by the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) yesterday.
Mahendra detailed the impact of extreme weather conditions between July and October 2023, with 113 banjar (traditional villages) now grappling with a severe shortage of clean water.
Additionally, Bali recorded ten cases of forest and land fires, primarily concentrated in Buleleng, Karangasem, and Bangli. The blazes also extended to several final disposal sites (TPA), including TPA Suwung in Denpasar, TPA Mandung in Tabanan, and TPA Temes in Gianyar.
Mahendra affirmed the commitment to intensify ongoing firefighting efforts and extend support to areas facing water scarcity and drought conditions.
BNPB Head Suharyanto emphasized that the emergency declaration would be a collaborative effort with BNPB, assuring that necessary funding would be promptly allocated to address disaster-related challenges.
Separately, Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Head I Made Rentin said that his department has readied essential equipment for drought emergency response and submitted a request for the implementation of weather modification technology (TMC) in Bali.
