Thousands hit by drought

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 08/27/2007 1:41 PM

CIREBON, West Java: The current dry spell in Cirebon city has affected some 5,000 residents, forcing most to buy clean water from vendors for their daily needs.

The worsening drought has caused wells to dry up -particularly those in Harjamukti district.

Residents experiencing water shortages are located across 10 villages in the district.

Commission C chairman on public welfare at the municipal council Tjipto confirmed the situation. He said based on field observations the past couple of weeks had seen the water crisis loom.

""Of the five district in Cirebon city, Harjamukti is the worst effected area,"" Tjipto said.

""Some 5,000 people are affected by the dry spell.""

A local figure in Argasunya subdistrict in Harjamukti, Moch Sarpin, said the number of people facing water shortages had reached the thousands.

Sarpin said almost all the wells in the area had totally dried up.

He said the dry conditions might also have been impacted by sand quarrying activities.

""A 600-hectare sand mine in the area has damaged the catchment area,"" he said. -- JP

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