Hundreds of resevoirs run dry in NTT

KUPANG: The El Nino weather phenomenon, currently affecting East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has caused 250 reservoirs to dry up and sparked water shortages in a number of areas.

The situation has been made worse by the rising temperature, which has now reached 36 degrees Celsius.

NTT Public Works Office's irrigation subdivision head Manu Dima told reporters Tuesday there were currently around 500 reservoirs built by the government to retain rainwater for public use.

"Based on information we have received, more than 250 of the reservoirs have dried up, so residents have been forced to fetch water from river or mountain springs located kilometers away," said Manu.

Leader of the Kupang Fishermen and Farmers Association Oktory Gasperz said residents in 22 districts in Kupang regency were currently complaining of the presence of the El Nino phenomenon. - JP