Kulonprogo stricken by drought

YOGYAKARTA: More than 2,500 villagers in Kalibawang have been facing difficulties in obtaining clean water due to the prolonged drought currently afflicting Central Java.

"Villagers living in mountainous areas have had to spend many hours on foot to reach water resources close to Borobudur Temple," Anwar Hamid, Kulonprogo deputy regent, said here on Thursday.

He said it was impossible for villagers to deepen their wells in the dry season because they would have to dig down at least 50 meters to reach any source of water.

He said the local administration would allocate Rp 25 billion in its 2002 budget and would enhance cooperation with foreign nongovernmental organizations to construct wells in mountainous areas in the regency next year. --Antara