We have totally distributed 2,070 water tanks. Their procurement uses the village funds
Sampit, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The authorities in Pulau Hanaut Subdistrict of Kotawaringin Timur District, Central Kalimantan Province, have distributed 2,070 water tanks to help residents in 11 villages tackle the scarcity of clean water during the dry season. "We have totally distributed 2,070 water tanks. Their procurement uses the village funds. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), the availability of these water tanks is so helpful for our people," Head of Pulau Hanaut Subdistrict Eddy Mashami said here Saturday.

Those waters tanks had been procured in 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019, he said, adding that during the dry season, 14 villages in the sub-district are prone to the impact of a devastating drought, including the scarcity of clean water as well as bush and forest fires.

Located on a coastal area, Pulau Hanaut Subdistrict remains disconnected by road infrastructure from Sampit's city center.

In addition to the devastating drought, seawater intrusion has also become a serious challenge for those living in the area because it makes the water of rivers and water wells salty, he said.

With this in mind, the sub-district government then decided to provide its people with water tanks to enable them to store water that could be used for drinking and cooking, he said.

This year's drought could likely be longer than that of last year, according to Sampit city's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Therefore, the district government has raised the alert status of bush and forest fires from "alert" to "emergency" which is made effective from July 3 to October 30, 2019.

Indonesia is bracing for a devastating and protracted drought this year, according to the BMKG's warning, with the condition likely to peak in August and September.

Those residing in the affected areas should maintain vigil to deal with the impact of the drought.

It has not merely led to a scarcity of clean water and a deterioration in the air quality but it has also triggered a potential recurrence of bush and forest fires in certain provinces.

In Banyumas, Central Java Province, for instance, the district's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) confirmed Friday that some 3,150 families in 12 villages are reeling from a clean water crisis.

In dealing with this scarcity, the BPBD has prepared one thousand water tanks and regularly distributed clean water supplies to meet the requirement of some 10,876 people. (INE)

Related news: Banyumas readies tank trucks to anticipate drought
Related news: Indonesia to face drier dry season this year

EDITED BY INE


Translator: Kasriadi/Norjani, Rahmad Nasut
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019