Drought Hits 18 Villages in South Blitar
August 24, 2015
The El Nino that have caused a long drought in the country is affecting areas in Blitar District, East Java. There are 18 villages in 5 subdistricts that lacks clean water due to the decline of water in rivers and wells.
Head of Regional Disaster Management Agency for Blitar District Heru Irawan say he has prepared clean water supplies and will immediately be shipped to areas that are in need.
The Regional Disaster Management Agency, through village and subdistricts officials, continue to monitor water sources in subdistricts including Wonotirto, Bakung, Wates, Panggungrejo and Binangun.
Geographicaly, the areas are located in barren hills and have depended on water from rivers. Therefore, the local residents managed their farms with a rain reservoir system.
Vice Chairman of Local Parliament Blitar District Masykur requested that the government gives a concrete solution to resolve the issue. According to Masykur, shipments of clean water via trucks could not be done continously. “This situation occurs every dry season,” he said.
Masykur asked the government to start considering clean-water infrastructure development through well pumps and to provide water reservoir. This effort is not difficult to accomplish with the financial support from the local government.
Source: en.tempo.co