Wamena, Jubi – Two districts in Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan province, have been hit by drought following a dry season that has persisted since April 2026, with conditions expected to peak between June and August. The affected areas are Wutpaga and Nenggeagin districts.

Leri Gwijangge, a member of the Nduga Regency Legislative Council (DPRK), said the prolonged drought had caused residents' crops to fail.

The extended dry spell has also begun to affect food supplies in Kenyam, the regency capital, with stocks of necessities running low. River levels in the area have dropped significantly.

Rivers have traditionally served as the only route for boats transporting food and other essential supplies from Mimika Regency in Central Papua to Nduga.

"Food stocks in Kenyam are running low. Residents have already brought this situation to the attention of the Papua Pegunungan provincial government and the Nduga regency government. However, no response measures have yet been taken," Leri said on Wednesday (Aug. 12, 2026).

The Perindo Party politician urged the Nduga regency and Papua Pegunungan provincial governments to immediately address the situation by declaring a disaster emergency.

"This drought threatens people's survival in Nduga, particularly in Wutpaga and Nenggeagin districts," he said.

He called on the Nduga regency and provincial governments to immediately arrange food supplies for affected residents, particularly those in the districts that have been experiencing drought for several months.

"The Nduga government must immediately find alternative ways to distribute food aid to the affected communities, including by air. Do not wait any longer, because that would be tantamount to allowing people to starve to death," he said.

Source: https://en.jubi.id/drought-hits-two-districts-in-nduga-regency