Water crisis denies East Nusa Tenggara people

Four-year-old Yusak Nubatonis helps fetch water for his family in Bena village, South Amanuban district, Timor Tengah Selatan regency.

A water crisis has started to affect East Nusa Tenggara province, with many rivers and wells having run dry, forcing people to buy water at high prices, with a tank of 5,000 liters of water costing up to Rp 150,000 (US$15).

In several villages of West Kupang district, Kupang regency, water sources dried up in the early part of this month, forcing villagers to walk for more than two kilometers to fetch clean water.

A similar situation has also arisen in Amarasi district and its villages, with residents, who are mostly farmers and cattle herders, also having to buy water, with a container of 40 liters costing Rp 5,000.

"We have no other option. In order to survive, we have to buy water. It's very hard for us. We hope the government can help provide clean water as the rainy season won't come until December," said Eres Erasmus Siki, a villager. "Even to drink is hard, what will happen to our cattle?"

In Kupang city, residents have had to reduce water use with tap water now only running twice a week compared to four times a week previously.

"Usually, the water is on for up to three hours, allowing us to store water. But now we only get water for one hour each time," complained Berto Taopan, a resident of Naikoten subdistrict in Kupang. (JP/Yemris Fointuna)