Thousands need clean water

REMBANG, Central Java: While reports about flooding in the province continue to make headlines, more than half a million people in the regencies of Rembang and Blora face a shortage of clean water, reported Antara yesterday.

Spokesman Hartomo of the provincial administration said 282 villages in the regencies' two districts were affected.

The shortage began during the recently ended dry season. "Six water tanks have been deployed to take clean water to villages," he said.

Residents in some villages have had to pay water salesmen as much as Rp 3,000 (US$1.25) for two buckets of water. (swe)