Famine looms in eight villages

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Shortage of food is now haunting eight villagers in Sekotong district of West Lombok Regency following crop failures caused by the prolonged dry season.

The food situation of 330 families in the eight villages has reached the "amber light" stage, and they will soon run out of food entirely, District Chief Rosihan Andji told the Antara news agency. The eight villages are Belongas, Menjongar, Longlongan, Sauh, Umbel, Kondong, Ganjar and Pendai. (emb)