Drought spreads in Central Java

Drought spreads in Central Java

YOGYAKARTA: More than 81,000 residents of Gunungkidul regency
are suffering from a growing drought, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency quoted the regency's spokesman, Yosef Dibyo
Nugroho, as saying that, at the beginning of the month, the
residents of 41 villages in seven districts -- Tepus, Rongkop,
Paliyan, Panggang, Semanu, Saptosari and Ponjong -- were relying
on clean water that was supplied by the local government through
seven water tanks. Each tank can hold 5,000 liters of potable
water.

The Yogyakarta administration has a Rp 45.7 million
(US$19,446) budget this year to provide water for areas hit by
drought. "If rain doesn't fall by the end of the month, the
remaining Rp 15.9 million must be spent to give the villagers
clean water," Nugroho said.

The government started a clean water project in the regency 10
years ago. (swe)