Dry season starts to affect Lombok

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The dry season has begun to hit several areas in East Lombok regency here, causing water shortages in the areas affected so far.

The water shortages have forced local residents in Jerowaru district to seek water some five to six kilometers away from their homes or just buy water sold by itinerant water vendors at Rp 2,500 (US$ 0.26 cent) per container.

In order to overcome the problem, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Serinata ordered his officials on Tuesday to provide free potable water to people in the regency. -- Antara