CNN Indonesia In-depth - Sulit Air di Masa Kemarau

Summary

The video script details the severe drought affecting Grobogan, Central Java, caused by the El Niño phenomenon. It explores the struggles of villagers, like Sunardi from Karanganyar, who must walk kilometers to find water in dried-up riverbeds. Residents dig 'beli' (water holes) to access minimal water supplies for basic needs. The drought, exacerbated by climate anomalies, leads to a scarcity of clean water, and government aid in the form of water deliveries. Despite efforts, including plans for rainwater catchment systems, the drought's impact is significant, highlighting the community's resilience.

Takeaways

• 🌦️ The region is experiencing an extended dry season, with El Nino causing delays in the rainy season, predicted to start in November in Central Java.
• 🌵 This year’s dry season is classified as extremely dry, with 77% of Indonesia's regions entering peak drought in August and September.
• 🚰 The village of Karanganyar in Grobogan is facing severe water shortages, with more than 2,700 families struggling to find clean water for daily needs.
• 🏞️ Local rivers, such as the Peganjing, have dried up, forcing residents to dig for underground water in riverbeds, a method called 'beli' that has been used for decades.
• 💧 Residents of Karanganyar rely heavily on collecting water from 'beli' holes, sometimes walking up to 7 kilometers to access water, which only suffices for bathing, laundry, and basic household use.
• 🚶‍♂️ People like Sunardi often make multiple trips to fetch water daily, a task becoming increasingly harder as water sources dry up further from villages.
• 🥀 The drought has not only affected household water needs but also agriculture. Farmers are planting drought-resistant crops like tobacco and corn, but yields remain poor.
• 🏜️ Grobogan has gone over 60 days without rain, and with little hope of relief until the rainy season, water scarcity is affecting 90 villages across 17 sub-districts.
• 🛑 Embung projects (rainwater catchment areas) proposed in 2018 have stalled due to land acquisition issues and further delays caused by the pandemic.
• 🌍 The drought is widespread, affecting areas south of the equator in Indonesia, with no cloud formation making weather modification nearly impossible.

Q & A

What is the impact of El Niño on the weather conditions in Grobogan, Central Java?

El Niño has caused an extended dry season in Grobogan, Central Java, leading to severe drought. The region has experienced a delay in the rainy season, with predictions that rain will only start in November. The El Niño phenomenon causes drier-than-normal conditions by shifting air masses towards the Pacific, resulting in reduced rainfall.

How has the drought affected water availability in Desa Karanganyar, Grobogan?

The drought has led to a severe water shortage in Desa Karanganyar, forcing more than 2,700 families to ration clean water for basic needs like bathing, washing, and sanitation. Residents have resorted to digging into dry riverbeds, known as 'beli,' to access small amounts of groundwater.

What methods do residents of Desa Karanganyar use to obtain water during the dry season?

Residents dig holes in the dry riverbeds to reach groundwater, a method locally known as 'beli.' These holes are dug in dried-up rivers, and residents must wait for the water to clear before using it. They often make multiple trips daily to collect enough water for their households.

How far do residents have to travel to find water, and how might this distance increase?

Currently, residents like Sunardi walk several kilometers to find water in the dried-up rivers. As the drought continues, they may have to travel up to 7 kilometers, reaching the border of Sragen, to find clean water.

What are the main agricultural impacts of the drought in Grobogan?

The drought has significantly affected agriculture, as fields have dried up and water for irrigation is scarce. Farmers in Grobogan have shifted to planting drought-resistant crops like tobacco and corn instead of water-intensive crops like rice, though the yields are often suboptimal.

What role does the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) play in monitoring the drought in Indonesia?

The BMKG tracks weather patterns and rainfall distribution across Indonesia. They have recorded that 77% of the country is experiencing drought, with many areas in Central Java, including Grobogan, having received little to no rainfall for over 60 days. BMKG predicts the rainy season may begin in November.

What assistance has been provided to address the water shortages in Grobogan?

Since July, the local government, through BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), has been delivering clean water to over 80 affected villages, including Desa Karanganyar. Water trucks visit these villages once a week, but the demand often exceeds supply, leading to long waits for residents.

Why can't residents in Desa Karanganyar rely on nearby reservoirs for water supply?

Although Grobogan has several reservoirs, including the Kedung Ombo Reservoir, which is the largest in Central Java, the water cannot be easily channeled to Desa Karanganyar due to the region's hilly terrain. Additionally, many nearby reservoirs have also dried up during the drought.

What long-term solutions are being considered to address water shortages in Desa Karanganyar?

A proposal to build a rainwater catchment (embung) in Desa Karanganyar was introduced in 2018. However, the project has been delayed due to issues with land acquisition and the COVID-19 pandemic. The embung is seen as a potential solution to help store water during the rainy season for use during droughts.

How does the type of soil in Grobogan contribute to the region's water shortages during the dry season?

The soil in Grobogan is primarily clay, which has a poor ability to retain water. During the rainy season, the soil becomes saturated quickly, but it dries out just as fast in the dry season, leaving little to no groundwater available for residents.