Water crisis denies East Nusa Tenggara people

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)