Villagers bathe like buffaloes

JAKARTA (JP): Drought in Central Java is so severe that in Ngombak village, Grobogan regency, desperate people "bathe" in a pool of mood simply to cool off, reports said yesterday.

For many villagers, bathing with clean water is something luxury. In the severely hit area, villagers will spend the whole day queuing for water in a spring in a forest two kilometers from their home.

Antara reported yesterday that a frustrated villager who failed to get turn after queuing for the whole day lost his temper and smashed his earthen pot he brought to carry water.

"Water is so scarce we are lucky to bathe once a week," said villager Supardi. "Many people are willing to bathe with mud just to get cooled."

The brunt that the dry spell has brought is even worse because, unlike in the past, the local ministry of forestry office does not have enough water to offer to the residents. (pan)