REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- Six districts in East Java have been reportedly reeling under the impact of drought this year, the province's Governor Soekarwo stated.

Five of the six districts that were reportedly experiencing drought are Pasuruan, Mojokerto, Sampang, Pamekasan, and Probolinggo.

"We will soon provide clean water in the six districts to alleviate the suffering of the local community," Governor Soekarwo remarked here on Wednesday.

Pakde Karwo, as the governor is endearingly called, appealed to the heads of other districts affected by the drought to report to the provincial government, so that water can be provided.

"President Joko Widodo has also reminded the district heads to immediately check their drought-affected areas," the East Java provincial governor stated.

Meanwhile, based on data of the East Java provincial government, of the 38 districts and cities, some 422 villages in 27 districts are experiencing drought until now, of which 183 villages are located on the mountains, so water should be sent to the reservoir.

"Because of the above location, technical engineering work, such as drilling wells and laying pipelines, cannot be undertaken, while the rest of the areas can still be covered," he said.

He cautioned that if immediate aid is not provided, then the situation will become critical, especially in the southern coast and Madura.

Meanwhile, based on data from the previous years, of the 8,501 villages in East Java in 2015, a total of 541 villages had experienced a drought.

In 2017, drought has only affected 422 villages, while in 2016, East Java did not experience a drought.

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