Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is intensifying preparations to mitigate the impact of drought in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) as the country braces for the potential effects of El Niño, which is forecast to strengthen through the second half of 2026.
BNPB Chief Lt. Gen. Suharyanto outlined the government’s preparedness strategy during the Regional Coordination Meeting on Drought Disaster Preparedness held in Mataram on Friday (July 24, 2026). The meeting was attended by NTB Governor, regents and mayors across the province, regional disaster management agencies (BPBD), and members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda).
According to Suharyanto, early forecasts indicate that El Niño conditions have begun developing since mid-2026 and are expected to peak toward the end of the year, increasing the risk of prolonged dry weather across several regions. He said both the central and regional governments have agreed to strengthen preparedness measures before drought conditions worsen.
Groundwater Wells Become Key Priority
BNPB identified the construction of deep groundwater wells as the primary solution for communities already experiencing water shortages.
Where weather conditions still permit, the agency will also consider weather modification operations to stimulate rainfall. However, in areas where groundwater cannot be accessed and pipeline infrastructure is not feasible due to extremely dry conditions, clean water will be distributed using tanker trucks.
The groundwater wells are generally planned at depths of at least 100 meters, with final specifications adjusted to local geological conditions.
In addition to drilling operations, BNPB will provide supporting infrastructure, including pipelines, water storage tanks, and other essential equipment to ensure affected communities have reliable access to clean water.
The agency also plans to supply logistical support and emergency equipment to local governments that have declared drought emergency preparedness status.
Assistance includes water pumps, spring and river booster pumps, water storage tanks and supporting frames, PVC piping, water taps, and food aid packages.
Disaster Preparedness Integrated into Regional Development
Suharyanto praised the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government for incorporating disaster risk reduction into its 2025–2029 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD).
The provincial strategy prioritizes disaster resilience, integrated risk mitigation, and climate change adaptation, making disaster management a long-term development objective rather than only an emergency response. He described NTB’s approach as a model that could be adopted by other provinces, particularly those facing similar disaster risks.
Tsunami Early Warning System Inspected
Following the coordination meeting, Suharyanto inspected a tsunami early warning siren installed in Loang Baloq Tourism Area, Tanjung Karang, in 2025. The visit aimed to verify that the warning system remains fully operational and capable of providing timely alerts to nearby residents. After testing the equipment, the BNPB chief confirmed that the system was functioning properly.
The early warning system is designed to detect potential tsunami threats by integrating earthquake and sea-level monitoring sensors. It can activate automatically when a threat is detected, while authorities also retain the ability to trigger the siren manually if necessary. Local disaster management officials conduct routine operational tests on the 26th of every month to ensure the system remains ready for emergency use.
Through these mitigation efforts, BNPB aims to strengthen disaster preparedness, reduce the impact of drought, and improve community resilience against natural hazards across West Nusa Tenggara and other disaster-prone regions of Indonesia.
