Day of drought

Day of drought

Text and photo by P.J. Leo

WONOSARI, Yogyakarta (JP): The dry season is coming and the
hot sun has evaporated all the water sources in several villages
in Gunung Kidul regency here, including Oyo River (photo above
left).

There has been no rain since August and the local community
works together to find clean water, which can be some distance
away.

Bedoyo villagers rush to a well for clean water (photo above
right). The dry river has brought blessings for one local woman
who uses the hot sun-warmed bedrocks to dry her laundry and food
(photo right).

In the village of Gelagah Kemiri, the local community receive
clean water, which has been donated (photo below right). In the
village of Namberan, people use the River Namberan to wash
themselves and their laundry due to a shortage of well water
(photo below).

With a bucket of water on her back and a container in her
hands, a Bedoyo woman walks through the bare hills to get home
(photo below left).

Villagers often use bicycles to transport water so as to
reduce time and effort (photo left).

The Gunung Kidul community would be able to overcome the
seasonal drought if the local authority could ensure the regular
supply of water to each village's reservoir. The reservoirs are
supplied with clean water from Baron beach in southern
Yogyakarta.

Sometimes the drought brings disease because the local
community have less water with which to maintain their personal
hygiene. This can mean bathing at the same place as livestock.