Water shortages arrive early in Gunungkidul

YOGYAKARTA: Villagers in the southern parts of Gunungkidul regency have begun to suffer from water shortages as this year's dry season sets in, an official said on Thursday.

Basuki Rochim, the director of the Gunungkidul administration's economics and development agency, said that water shortages were currently affecting at least 51 villages in 11 districts of the regency, with the total number of people involved amounting to some 132,625.

Beginning early next month, the local government will provide free clean water to some 58,000 disadvantaged people in the affected villages, he added. -- Antara