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.