Water shortages hit Indonesia due to prolonged drought

Prolonged dry seasons have triggered water crises in multiple regions of Indonesia, affecting residential, agricultural, and livestock needs.

In South Sorong Regency, residents of Seyolo Village in the Teminabuan District have faced clean water shortages for approximately two months. The local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has responded by distributing over 40,000 liters of clean water to the affected area to assist households struggling with basic needs such as drinking and cooking.

In Bekasi Regency, the Cipamingkis River has seen significantly reduced water levels, leaving only shallow pools in areas that previously had strong currents. This shortage impacts the Cibarusah area, hindering farming and livestock operations. Experts note that the crisis is exacerbated by land-use changes in the upstream catchment areas, where forests have been converted into settlements and farmland, reducing the land's ability to absorb and store water.